April, 1999

“ You want me to move … WHERE ?? ”

The love of my life and tolerant companion lowered her paper enough to glance over the top of the page to fling glowering darts in my direction. I explained that I found a motel for sale in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire that seemed to be perfect for the two of us to manage. The owners want to retire.

“No thanks; I don’t care to hunt moose, chop firewood, and live in an igloo wearing a fur-lined parka and fuzzy mittens in July. Find someplace I can shop for groceries that doesn’t have wooden floors and a pot belly stove!”

Of course, being uprooted from our comfortable home/lifestyle of 20 years in Southern California would necessitate an extreme makeover in both of our lives, and her response was expected. However I had enough of lengthy commutes, smog alerts, parched postage stamp sized lawns, high taxes and office politics.

I pursued the idea of moving to the “LIVE FREE OR DIE” state.


NOTE: If prompted, today she would admit that on the list of the top 10 things that I’ve gotten right in the past 37 years (a list currently populated by 4 so still a work in progress) the motel was one of my stellar moments.

Donna and I planned to run the motel for 10 years and retire. Now with our 12th season behind us, the idea of saying good bye to our faithful tri-seasonal friend seems rather disheartening, but we should slow down. We are offering to pass the torch on our motel located in Weirs Beach, zoned resort/commercial, in the heart of the lakes region along Rt. 3, one half mile from the lake. We sit on nearly two acres, surrounded by woods on three sides. Frequent visitors include deer, wild turkey and even a stray bear, although she seems friendly.

The area of our New England home/business boasts of pristine lakes, mountains, small villages with their country fairs and winding country roads that lead to scenic vistas and traditional main streets lined with country stores from a bygone era. Weirs Beach with its docks, boardwalk and tourist oriented activities is located within an hour’s journey of the coast of Maine, Vermont and a two hour drive to Boston. Income tax-free New Hampshire is widely recognized as one of the safest and best places to live, work, and to raise a family. Lake Winnipesauke (72 sq. miles in area) is the recreational destination and is the largest in the state. Autumn presents some of the finest leaf peeping opportunities found anywhere and draws folks in from all over the world.

This is a turn-key operation, perfect for 2 persons to operate, (along with a p/t desk helper and 2 housekeepers), comes fully equipped and ready to continue business. The new owners will concentrate on learning the ropes, instead of worrying about what kind of replacement mower is required. You will inherit a healthy flow of returning guests, web-site, valuable company name, logo and a solid reputation. The motel has 16 units, 10 of them have a single queen bed, 3 have two beds, accompanied by two efficiency apartments, and a 800 sq. ft. home (not a cabin) that was built by the previous proprietor for her parents. Our owner’s quarters have a single bedroom and kitchen overlooking the back yard. Two of the units connect (and can be closed off) with the owner’s apartment so that visiting friends and family have access but these rooms are independent as rentals. There is a large barn to store your motor home and toys, along with a wonderful garage/work area.

We are truly blessed.

As with any major shift in lifestyle, serious reflection is required when one abandons the old and leaps into the new. Now that I have you thinking of dropping everything and moving east, let’s pause to see if motel ownership right up here in God’s country really is a good fit for your family.


Which category describes you the best?

I tend to be cranky early in the morning and don’t even talk to me after 9pm
When (not if) one of the 17 toilets starts to complain, I will flee in the opposite direction
I need my sleep, and won’t get out of bed @ 2am to silence a robust conversation in the back yard
I need to make lots of money
I’m a party animal
I cannot balance my checkbook
There are many outside distractions in my life
I don’t own a hammer, (wouldn’t know how to use one if I did)
I grow weary of having people draw from my “free” time
Inspired by the Bob Newhart show, MY staff will serve me cocktails by the pool in the moonlight

(If a guest is not happy, he will not return and will enlighten his friends. So, your guest is your boss, and his happiness will dictate whether your business will financially survive).

HAPPY GUESTS THAT BRING MORE GUESTS = A PROSPEROUS BUSINESS

Or, do you … ?

Like to be around people
Enjoy watching children play in the back yard
Like the idea of your daily commute to your office: 14 feet
Receive satisfaction of a guest thanking you for a pleasant stay, while PAYING you!
Want to live in an area that folks will drive/pay to share this environment
Take the afternoon off to walk down to the beach
You enjoy a self-served margarita poolside
Ponder the option to work half the year, and spend the other half as you choose
Enjoy meeting folks that have a positive impact on your life
Close down on a slow day, just ‘cause you’re in the mood

So, motel ownership is not meant for everyone, especially if your personality traits fall into the first category. You will not become wealthy during your tenure but you should be comfortable. What I appreciate most is the independence.

Our business schedule is flexible, as we choose to open mid-May and close down sometime after Halloween. The busiest time is beginning around bike week (early June), through Labor Day. There are many area events outside this time frame, which fill the motel but in general we get time to catch our collective breaths. We use this opportunity to close down for a day or two, so that we can enjoy the area ourselves. When we close for the season and retreat to our winter home, it’s somewhat akin to leaving a child behind for the winter. We rent the apartments (optional) to keep someone on the property and to tend to any issues that may arise and to provide additional income. Of course, the new owners have the option of remaining open all year round.

In summary …

For the right persons, this is an opportunity to live and work in a very desirable area and to be your own boss. You are not buying a business as one would acquire a shoe store or a café, but rather a way of life. Our motel is not located in Indianapolis (nothing wrong with Indianapolis) but in Weirs Beach: a resort area where folks travel to relax, not passing through on a business trip.

Depending on circumstances, one or both of us are willing to stay on for a period of time to familiarize the new owners with the business and to help winterize the motel at the close of season.
We will be happy to provide additional phone/e-mail support beyond this time.

If you are interested in more detailed information, PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE MOTEL NUMBER as I will not discuss this over the phone. Instead, please e-mail me at:

RDSHINNICK@HOTMAIL.COM

We are asking $590k, and will entertain sensible offers and perhaps assist with financing for those with a reasonable down payment and possess a healthy credit background. Please don’t lo-ball as this is neither a fire sale nor one of desperation. We are perfectly happy to continue along until we cross paths with the right persons who want to pursue a change of lifestyle, as we once did.

Please tell me a little about yourself and your goals when you write. I will then provide you with additional details.

Thanks;

Rob

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