A Transaction I Really Loved: Selling the Inn on Maple, Sister Bay WI

A Transaction I Really loved:

Selling the Inn on Maple, Sister Bay WI

I really enjoy ALL of my customers and clients, but this story is special to me.

It wasn't my listing.  And it had been on the market for several years.  But I was developing a reputation as a niche commercial agent in northern Door County-- over the course of three years, I successfully transferred The Wooden Heart Inn (Now the Double S), The Juniper Inn, The Patio Motel and Drive-In and The Voyager Inn (now the Sister Bay Inn). I even assisted in the transfer of the world-renowned Funky Cookie Studio (Jill and John's funky little Sister Bay business has over 78,000 Instagram followers alone and over 150,000 Facebook likes.  Wowza).

SOLD 2014

I enjoyed working with every one of those business transfers and have made some life-long friends (some of whom are now in "the business" and some who are enjoying happy retirements).

Enter the Inn on Maple, a quaint Bed & Breakfast establishment in beautiful, downtown Sister Bay, Wisconsin.  This early 20th century building had been everything from a butcher shop to a bait shop in its 100 year history.  It had enjoyed some years as a fine dining establishment, and after being owned by the same family for several years as a Door County Bed & Breakfast (they were ready for retirement), they listed the Inn with The Kellstrom-Ray Agency, Inc.  Ideal location--one can walk to the beach and the center of town in minutes.  Yet the Inn sat on the market for some time (nearly four years!), waiting for just the right new owner.

I had been working with Collin and Sara for several months, searching Fish Creek, Sister Bay and Egg Harbor for something with a creative vision for them.  Collin, a thirtysomething attorney, was tired of the corporate suburbs of Milwaukee and his lovely and his lovely, vivacious and accomplished wife, Sara, had some great ideas about the next chapter of their lives--to be written in Door County.  Plus, Collin's grandmother still lived in Sister Bay, his aunt operates a successful business in Egg Harbor--moving to northern Door would almost be a homecoming for them.  How did they combine that vision into a new life in Door County?  We "stumbled" upon the Inn on Maple, a Door County Bed & Breakfast, and they began making plans.

Kellstrom-Ray's Listing of the Inn on Maple, Sister Bay

As with any older building, the home inspection was a nail-biter.  Collin and Sara also had to sell their home in the Milwaukee suburbs prior to the purchase--another nail biter.  Yet they were always so cheerful and so overwhelmingly positive that they were an absolute pleasure to work with.  I was amazed that someone would want to retire so early from a family law firm to jump into a serious investment (Bed & Breakfasts are HARD WORK, and they also planned to do more with the space).  We'd go in and measure and talk about their dreams and I'd listen and watch them make their plans (which were top secret for their new business) and autumn and winter quickly went by.

Their home sold, and financing was approved, and their commercial idea was also embraced by Sister Bay, and in the summer of 2016, Roots Inn & Kitchen was born.  In the interim, I had made some fantastic new friends. I really loved that---I had met two super-special human beings that were now a part of my Sister Bay community (and coincidentally or not, Sara's family bought a lovely home from me three blocks away for retirement the following year).

Collin and Sara's idea centered not only on updating the Inn and giving it a fun, eclectic new vibe but their plans also opening the Inn to the public for lunch with one prominent menu item:  The Iconic Wisconsin Bratwurst.  Using fresh and organic ingredients, they are open to the public, and also one of my favorite places to grab a quick glass of wine and chat.  Also, their breakfasts are simply INCREDIBLE.  I've been encouraging them to open to the public for winter brunch for two years.

Courtesy of Edible Door

Featured Try These Brats!!

It was hard for me to pick just one transaction that I loved, but Collin and Sara's story isn't over yet.  They've been featured all over the State of Wisconsin in the media for their food and innovation.  And in spring  of 2017, we expanded and they purchased a Baileys Harbor cabin to add to their ever-expanding rental business.

CELEBRATING THE NEW ADDITION

THE ROOTS CABIN IN BAILEYS HARBOR

If you'd like to find out more about Roots Inn & Kitchen, and read more about Collin and Sara, please check here.  This is a true love story---they loved Door County, they love their business, I loved working with them, and I don't think they've written the final chapter.  You can even read more about them via their glowing Yelp reviews.

I LOVED working with Collin and Sara to assist in accomplishing their Door County dreams.  As always, if I can assist with making any of YOUR Door County dreams a reality, please contact me or visit moredoorcounty.com

A Transaction I Really loved:

Selling the Inn on Maple, Sister Bay WI

I really  working with all of my fantastic customers and clients, but I also really love a good, old-fashioned American success story.  I have many more Door County success stories---contact me any time for more details!