Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachelle.
Hi Rachelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi!
I walked by this Queen Anne Victorian House (The Aurora Staples Inn) a thousand times and would dream about living here while growing up. Eight years ago, in July of 2017, I approached the previous owners, Kathy & Jerry, and asked them to sell it to me even though it wasn’t for sale. I prayed about it and had the exact amount of money for the down payment for a loan to purchase the Inn. I feel blessed that I’m able to own a piece of the town’s History and I’m thankful that God made it possible. This house was built in 1892 by a Lumber Baron, Isaac Staples, for his daughter Aurora Staples. Isaac Staples would be equivalent to a billionaire today and He was one of Minnesota’s first millionaires. He owned 3,000 acres of farms, banks, saloons, race horses, flour mills and more. Aurora was married to Adolphus Hospes and raised three children in this house. There are various woods throughout the house such as Bird’s Eye Maple, pine and oak. There is also ornate inlaid floors, along with pocket doors, a servant’s staircase, stain-glass windows and plenty of antiques on the main floor. There is a Carriage House in the back, which is separate from the main house and one of five rooms that we rent out to guests. This place is absolutely charming and sometimes I want to pinch myself to remind myself I’m not in a dream! This place is definitely a hidden gem on the North Hill of Stillwater, which is 3-4 blocks away from downtown. It is in a great location!
During 2020 I married Eddie, and now have an awesome partner to help me run the Inn. Eddie is a gospel singer and I love to write poetry in my spare time! Eddie & I also enjoy sitting on the wrap around porch together and dreaming of how to make the Inn better & future travel adventures we want to take. We also enjoy conversations with guests, searching for treasures at local antique stores, trying new restaurants, going to thrift stores and taking walks around the local lake, McKusick.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing at the Inn. When Covid19 hit we had to stop offering breakfast at the Inn. If a staff member got Covid we’d need to close down and quarantine for two weeks. We had to pivot and offer breakfast elsewhere; Now we offer gift-certificate vouchers to the Lowell Inn (Two Blocks away) or gift-cards to Oasis Cafe or Mon Petit Cheri. We received great feedback and have continued to do this. We are more of an Airbnb model now. During Covid19 we took a hit financially as well, but we’re bouncing back now.
Another struggle we have encountered is not being able to take long vacations. We don’t have Inn-sitters so we must close when we take a vacation, but we manage to get away for a day or two from time to time. We usually go to a cabin in Hayward, WI or the Treehouse at Hope Glen Farms in Cottage Grove. MN.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets us apart from others is our Victorian Charm and Location! The Aurora Staples Inn is only three blocks away from downtown Stillwater.
Our guest rooms are decorated uniquely in their own romantic way! Each guest room has a TV, a gas-fireplace, a comfortable bed with incredible soft sheets from the Comphy brand. Guests love the sheets, so we sell them! All rooms have jetted tubs and showers except the Giverny Room has a Large Jetted Tub for Two people. The Giverny Room is probably the most popular room. Each room has its’ own bathroom. If guests want wine, we offer it for sale on our website. We have award winning wine from St. Croix Vineyards (A local Vineyard) and chocolate baskets or other homemade chocolates such as chocolate covered strawberries or raspberries stuffed with blueberries. We offer a gift-card voucher to the Lowell Inn to redeem breakfast for two people each morning. The Inn is also offered to groups to rent all the rooms for Family Reunions, Retreats, Girl’s-Night-Out, Bridal Showers and more occasions. Many guests celebrate Anniversaries, Birthdays and Honeymoon’s here and make coming back a yearly tradition! We have an Inn Mascot, Spunk, the Sock Monkey. He is a great addition to the Inn. We encourage guests to take Spunky on adventures with them in Stillwater and take pics with him and post them on Social Media.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like the fact that there are a lot of things to do here! There are excellent restaurants for foodies and boutiques/antique stores for shoppers, hiking & biking trails, a gondola (Gondola Romantica), Hot Air Balloon Rides, an Escape Room, An Axe Throwing Bar, Dinner Cruises and more. There is something for everyone! This town has a lot of Character and reminds me of a small town in a Hallmark movie.
The least thing I like about Stillwater is the lack of parking. So it makes more sense to park at the Inn’s parking lot and walk downtown when there are events or during the busy season.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies. It is less expensive during the week than the weekend rates. Go to our website to see pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aurorastaplesinn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurorastaples/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuroraStaplesInn
