NASHVILLE —
A downtown property, once a jewelry store, but empty for more than 20 years, was won in a $100 raffle by a Berrien County native and transformed into a hotel with luxury amenities.
Our Place Hotel, located at 107 Marion St., has special sentiment for raffle winner Terry Danforth and wife Lisa: They purchased their wedding bands at the jewelry store many years ago.
The Danforths opened their new hotel, which includes granite countertops, brick pavers, wood floors and ceilings, in May. The walls were described as brick and cypress wood with warm paint colors. Other special touches are salvaged old cedar beams adding character to the upstairs bedrooms and common areas, bathrooms with large showers, and huge pecky cypress entrance doors handmade for the property. Rooms and common areas all have flat-screen televisions.
“Mr. Danforth has had a passion for this project since the beginning,” said Dawn Morrison, Better Hometown director. “He has put his heart and soul into this project, and it has certainly paid off.”
Morrison said it was the Downtown Development Authority of Nashville which hosted the raffle for the two-story, 1935 art deco building. The raffle was a reverse drawing, meaning the last ticket drawn would win the building.
Only 300 tickets were sold, including one as far as California. Danforth came in the day of the event to purchase a ticket. When Morrison explained the last ticket drawn would win the building, Danforth replied, “Well, I will probably win it because my name is always the last to be drawn.”
His prediction proved to be true.
Danforth turned down all offers on the building from prospective business owners. According to Morrison, the farmer said he had never done a project such as this, but added he has always wanted to do so.
Morrison said the Better Hometown Organization helped the Danforths survey the community’s industries and businesses on their needs for a new hotel. It was indicated by these surveys that the community would support this new endeavor, she so.
Anyone wishing more information on Our Place Hotel, please call Terry or Lisa Danforth at (229) 686-4316.
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Related Photos
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A view of one of the rooms.
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An exterior view of the renovated building.
Discussion
Our Place Hotel
Raffle winner transforms 1935 art deco building into upscale hotel
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