Tom Johnson and Debbie Lancaster are happy to call the Birchwood Inn home. The couple recently purchased the 250-year-old Bed and Breakfast in Lenox, MA, following the retirement of previous owner Ellen Chenaux. (See Ellen’s story, “For the Love of Innkeeping” in this issue).
The St. Louis couple will preserve the small-town appeal of this historic New England B&B, centered in the cultural, artistic and literary hub that is the Berkshires. They plan to invest in improvements, while staying true to the inn’s traditional character. “The inn is beautiful, but it is time for some updates, a little modernization, freshening and a makeover room by room,” says Debbie.
Tom and Debbie were eager to leave the hectic corporate environment behind. They wanted to do something that allowed them to work together. Entertaining large groups of family members in their home was a part of their lifestyle, so the idea of owning an inn came naturally. “Making other people happy makes us happy,” says Debbie. “It seems like a good fit for us.” The couple visited a few B&Bs before settling on the Birchwood Inn, which felt right to both of them.
The comfortable elegance of this stunning property features 11 beautifully decorated guest rooms, crisp linens, private baths, and modern amenities including TVs and Wi-Fi. The couple are optimistic that an enhanced marketing campaign and plans to capitalize on strategies to fill the inn during the off season will bolster its success.
With files from The Berkshire Eagle.
Birchwood Inn
Tom Johnson and Debbie Lancaster, Innkeepers/Proprietors
413-637-2600
7 Hubbard Street
Lenox, MA
New Owners of the Historic
Tom Johnson and Debbie Lancaster
By Sigrid Hart
Birchwood Inn