This month is particularly special to us here at the Inn on Montford for two reasons. Not only is it the Inn’s 25th anniversary, but it’s our 3rd anniversary as innkeepers! We can’t believe how fast the time has gone by.
What a wild ride the past few years have been, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to reflect on where we started and where we are now.
The beginning
When we purchased the inn and moved in on December 8, 2017, it was already fully booked. Our first morning was breakfast for 16 people. Talk about getting thrown into the fire!
We felt like we were on an episode of Chopped. Here’s all your people, here’s your kitchen, here’s your ingredients, go!
While that first day was stressful — nerve wracking really — we look back at that memory with laughter and fondness. An experience that has brought us a lot of joy. It made us fearless and gave us confidence as we navigated the first months of running the inn.
As we think back on the early days and all the memories we’ve made since, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for our guests and our Asheville community that welcomed us with open arms and supported us along the way.
To our lovely neighborhood restaurant, Chiesa:
Your restaurant was our sanctuary when we needed it most. Our little oasis after long, tiring hours. We’re grateful for your hospitality and offering us a beautiful setting to relax and have a nice meal together after stressful days. It’s a pleasure having you just down the street for our enjoyment and our guests’ as well.
To our kind guests:
Thank you for spending time with us whether it was for vacation, a wedding, or a baby shower.
Elopements, especially, hold a special place in our hearts. Along the way, we’ve been able to meet couples who chose the inn for their destination. We could never have expected the positively contagious happiness from you all. It’s been such a treat to be a small part of your adventure together.
To all our guests — from near and far — we’ve loved getting to know you, hearing your treasure trove of stories, and having your presence at the Inn on Montford. Without you, none of this would be possible.
To our dear team and Asheville community:
How do we even begin to thank you all enough?
To our fellow innkeeper friends, thank you for being resources of knowledge and being such an incredible support system.
To our talented musicians — Ben Scales and friends — where would we be without our weekly Saturday porch music?
To our team of rockstar gardners, you transform the grounds into a magical place. We are continuously in awe of your talents.
To our go-to coffee guy Matt, and the Cooperative Coffee team, thanks for keeping us (and our guests) deliciously caffeinated.
To our friends at Mountain Laurel Digital, thank you for helping us tell our story at the inn everyday. We love working with you, and we’re grateful to have you on our team.
And finally, a huge thank you to all the local businesses who help make the inn experience possible. We are indebted to you all. Thank you for being there for us and for all your contributions in making the Inn on Montford a warm, friendly, beautiful place.
Three years down, many more to come
What an amazing three years it has been filled with memories, new friends, and experiences we’ll never forget. We couldn’t be more excited and tickled with how the Inn on Montford has changed our lives. It’s exactly what we hoped it would be, which seldom happens in life. It all comes down to relationships. That’s what we got into this business for.
The Asheville, NC, community has become an integral part of our lives, and we are eternally grateful.
We are so looking forward to the years ahead. Meeting new friends, making new memories, and serving you to the best of our ability. Cheers!
With gratitude and love,
Willy & Shawnie