Big & Bookish B&B

Lumberton couple converts their compound into an inn

theVIPmag.com
Text by CHERYL ROSE
Photography by LEE E. STINSON



Visitors often ask if it is an old house that has been remodeled. Or possibly an old church turned into a house? No, the rambling rooms, decking and Escher-like stairways of the Book Nook Inn are a unique design from the fertile imagination of owner David Hearne, who was once part-owner of a general contracting company.

David grew up in New Hampshire and is drawn to Victorian architecture. When he and his wife, Stacie, began building their dream house in Lumberton eight years ago, they didn’t intend to turn it into a business. But when their daughter, Lyndsey, moved out, they began to think about converting the spacious home into a bed and breakfast. Two years ago they officially opened the Book Nook Inn.

The Building

Set on six acres of land, the large, U-shaped house has a three-story entryway with fiber optic stars twinkling in the ceiling.

“I think people that come here are blown away by the place,” Stacie said. “I get a ton of compliments about my food, but they are really amazed by the house.”

The detailed trim work, stained glass and Victorian antiques set the theme.

In addition to their own master suite, the Hearnes have four rooms they rent for bed and breakfast. Each large room has a bathroom that includes a whirlpool tub. The Hearnes recently opened the “steampunk room” in the tower addition which has an eating/ working nook.

“People comment on how homey it feels here,” Stacie said.

Stacie and David work hard to create that casual environment, stocking rooms with books, snacks and toiletries. Naps on the couch or reading the newspaper on the porch are encouraged.

Having a pool, hot tub and fishing pond are unusual amenities for a B&B, as are the home entertainment options. The theater room has surround-sound and is stocked with movies and snacks. The pool table is center stage in the entertainment room, but a treadmill and television are available, too. And there really are fish in the pond – a young guest recently caught at 32-inch catfish.

The Business

Turning your home into a business is a lifestyle change. Stacie is the primary innkeeper responsible for the bookings, cleaning, cooking, events and guest relations, day starts at 5:30 a.m. “The most difficult part is having people in your house all the time,” she said. “But we’ve made a lot of great friends from all over the world.”

The Hearnes were initially surprised at howmany of their guests were international travelers. They’ve had several guests from Europe, Africa and Australia. The Big Thicket National Preserve, Village Creek and birdwatching are the most common draws, though they’ve also had guests attracted to the musical history of the area.

“B&Bs attract a different type of person,” Stacie said. “They are looking for a different type of experience. They aren’t the kind of people who want to sleep and leave. They are looking for something off the beaten path and cleaner than a hotel. They want more of a personal experience and to interact with the other guests or with us.”




David, who also works outside of the inn designing websites and creating software, enjoys the diverse collection of people passing through, all with tales to tell and an interest in Texas and America. “We sit around the table and solve all kinds of worldwide problems, in fact,” he jokes.

Stacie believes it takes a certain personality to be an innkeeper. “I think you have to be a very friendly person,” she said. “You need to listen to everybody and be very accommodating. Some people just want a friendly ear to listen.”

Thus far, they haven’t had any trouble from guests and count their blessings on that score. The biggest problems that have come up so far are the occasional late-night, lastminute reservation and the individuals who miss the appointed breakfast time but still want full service.

The Hearnes have security cameras and do due diligence to verify identification when reservations are made. One skill that is very important is being Internet-savvy. The Book Nook Inn is listed through several travel search engines and reservation operators such as Priceline. Each must be monitored and updated constantly.

The Breakfast

The second “B” stands for “breakfast” and guests do rate their stays on the meal, too. Stacie’s breakfasts differ with the seasons, but French toast is a standard. She’s made sour cream banana pancakes, pumpkin waffles, carmelized grapefruit, a farmers’ market scramble, a Southern Texas casserole and omelets. David’s contributions in the kitchen are eggs Benedict and a hashbrown creation that involves apples. Stacie sometimes makes additional treats, such as homemade scones or applesauce.

The inn has also hosted private parties for different occasions, such as baby showers and birthdays, and Stacie has catered for those events.

The Beyond

Still new to the B&B business, the Hearnes are still learning. Even so, they are also expanding. They have just opened a new event center for wedding receptions and other parties. They saw a need for a venue option that is elegant rather than rustic. The completed venue holds 80 to 100 people.