Today we speak with Judy, owner of The Boscawen Inn in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Q: Share with us how you became involved with The Boscawen Inn
My husband Jon and I are CPAs, but we both were brought up romanticizing the hospitality industry. My grandfather owned a dance hall and cottages in Bright's Grove, Ontario so stories of amazing musicians, and socializing on the shores of Lake Huron filled my head. Jon had a famous uncle, who was the first in South Africa to own and operate Boutique Hotels, and this was who he wanted to be when he grew up. From our first date, we were on the hunt to find the perfect place that would meet both our criteria. The Boscawen Inn fit the bill.
Q: Tell us a little more about the history of the Inn
The Boscawen Inn is a Queen Victorian beauty built in 1888, as a wedding gift for a daughter. She raised 3 children in the home but unfortunately, her husband gambled the house away and they had to move to Boston.
Jon and I moved to South Africa to help run one of his uncle's hotels in order to learn from the great David Rawdon. It was an amazing experience, but taught us that we really wanted to own something ourselves so that we could make the decisions. I believe that being accountants we were able to know what changes we wanted to do, but also realized that it was going to require time and money. After 8 years, I finally feel that she represents us, and I am proud of every one of the 17 rooms.
Q: What advice would you give to those in the hotel and resort industry, especially during this challenging time?
2020 has been a difficult year, but I think that you must plan for down years, start an emergency fund right away and determine what is an emergency. A new roof should be budgeted for, and isn't an emergency - 2020 is a time to use the emergency fund. I also think that the government stepped in really well. Weddings for 2020 were either were pushed to 2021, or held but with less people. Weekends we filled up but during the week was quiet. We have lots planned for 2021 and I think people will be anxious to visit the East coast and travel more in CANADA
