72 Colborne Street

Property Description

After eight happy years running Colborne B and B, they are now ready to turn the reins over to someone else and move into full retirement. And while the possibility definitely exists to turn it into a large private home, the rich 30-year history of the B and B has them hoping it will continue as such when a new buyer is found. "We have just had a Celtic music festival in town and all five rooms were full for the entire week, with guests that have been coming this week for 30 years and have gotten to know each other and as friends. We would love to see it continue to be a B and B – it is definitely needed in Goderich." When they set out on their search for their next adventure, Connie and Emilios looked at six appropriate properties for sale in Ontario. But this Goderich gem with its Victorian charm was an easy sell. They bought in March and were up and running in June. "We fell in love with this one because of the layout," Connie said, describing how the main floor is divided down the middle by a grand foyer, with one side the private residence and the other for the guests. "There is a door between the house and the B and B so we can have people over and not feel like you are in the B and B at all." She said other properties for sale at the time left the owners living in the basement or a third floor attic. Connie said when they bought the B and B, the previous owners helped with the transition by coming over in the mornings to help with the breakfast and make sure they knew the ropes. "We would help new owners with the transition as well." Emilios and Connie say the business has given them a comfortable living with guests beginning in April and May and occupancy at 90 to 100 per cent for the rest of the summer into the end of October. "In November, the atmosphere is calmer" says Connie, “during the winter months we can shut down and take a break somewhere warm and re- energize.” "The beauty of the B and B is there is so much more that can be done --weddings, wellness retreats, business meetings. You can work as much or as little as you want." When the property is sold and Emilios and Connie move into full time retirement, they plan to stay in Goderich, a town they had never even visited until they went searching for a B and B. "We love it," says Connie, "we've built a community here and we are ready to spend more time in it." They love the architecture of the homes in town, the town square that is three minutes away, and the tug boats you can hear in the harbour docking ships loaded with grain or salt. Apart from music festivals every summer, local beaches on Lake Huron with famous sunsets, farmers markets and flea markets every weekend, guests also come to bike on the 135 km Guelph to Goderich rail line cycling trail. Guests arrive from all over the world and make Goderich a stop along the way from Niagara Falls, to Tobermory, Algonquin Park, Ottawa and Toronto. The town of 8,000 is also home to a large retiree population. "We are hoping to add to those numbers," Emilios laughs.