Folks it’s been slim pickings here at Casa Baer. I’ve been trying to keep my chin up throughout this pandemic but some days it’s really hard to find the silver lining. Since the beginning of March we’ve only taken in just a smidge over six thousand dollars. Usually we bring in double that each and every month, especially this time of year. We’re heading into our second busiest time of the year and are still getting more cancellations than reservations coming in. It’s heart breaking.
The good news is, people are venturing out. Most of our guests, believe it or not, have been from Mississippi. Folks wanting a quick get-away for a night or two. Just a 24-hour break from their own depressing situations. Everyone is trying to reach the light at the end of the tunnel; putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. And a thousand dollars a month (while not the normal thousand dollars a day we should be getting) is better than no dollars a month.
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Because we don’t have anything to sell curbside, we rely on people actually coming inside and staying awhile. We were offering house tours, but at ten dollars a person, we’d have to sell dozens of tours to even buy groceries. As our inn business started to pick up a wee bit, we had to discontinue the tours because it was more work than it was worth having to disinfect everything after the tour folks left. It’s nearly impossible to prevent people from touching things as they wander around the house.
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So, we’ve done the only thing we can think to do to entice people into our home. We’ve significantly reduced the prices of our rooms via on-line booking specials, cash incentives, and returning guest discounts. We have seen a slight uptick in room reservations, but by the time we pay the on-line booking commissions, the booking software fees, the monthly website maintenance fees, the credit card processing fees, and the taxes, we barely make enough to cover the cost of breakfast.
To add insult to injury, food prices continue to climb, making it almost impossible to serve a decent breakfast at an affordable cost. I rarely serve bacon anymore and I limit the fresh fruit to whatever the cheapest items are at the market. Some days it’s pineapple, some days bananas, some days watermelon.
It’s really hard to keep the doors open right now, but a little money is better than no money so we’re continuing to operate “business as normal.” The positive side is that I don’t have to worry about social distancing because I rarely have more than four guests at a time and my dining room table seats fourteen. And, pancake mix is still pretty dang cheap. Pancakes for the win!
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What are some ways you’ve adapted during this odd pandemic? Any cost saving tips I might want to consider? Any suggestions for ways to bring in a little extra money?
Word of the Day: Xiphosuran
Fun Fact about me: I’ve learned how to stretch two eggs into four servings with just a few clever additions.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, August 2020. Images by Google, Pexels, and giphy.com.
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It hurts my heart to know Bear House is struggling! This is such a terrible time for the travel industry and I wish I had some amazing advice that would double your visitors, but know I’m praying for you and keep your head up! As my mother-in-law always used to say: “This too shall pass.” And hopefully very, very soon.
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I know that your MIL is right and this too will pass, but right now it’s grim. I know God is keeping his hand of protection upon us so we’ll be fine whatever happens, but I’ve worked so hard to make this place a success. I’d hate to see it dwindle to nothing.
Anyway, chin up – there’s always a bright side. I’m sure we’ll reap some awesome rewards if we can stick it out.
Take care of yourself. Thanks for caring. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Patricia
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Seems wrong to click “like” on this post. So sorry this is causing so much angst for the inn. It is heartening to know the locals (Mississippians) are supporting their own.
Not knowing much about the pandemic relief bills for small businesses I need to ask. Are you getting any business assistance other than the individual check and will you get business tax relief at the end of this year?
Truly hope this turns around for you soon!
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We have gotten some relief – yes. I’m not complaining about that. Unfortunately we weren’t thinking long term when we asked for assistance so we got an amount we felt would carry us for a few month. Well, here we are – a few months down the road – and now that relief is almost gone. So . . . we’ll just have to see. We’re doing the best we can.
I know that we’ll be okay no matter what happens to the business, but I’ve invested so much time, effort and love into this place I really don’t want it to go under. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for your support. I appreciate it.
Patricia
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I hate to see this, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I haven’t even been to Ohio to see my family since Feb. Yet people are traveling; we were at Great Smoky Mountains National Park this weekend, and the place was packed. Cars had license plates from all over, though maybe more local ones than normal. And you’re right, something’s better than nothing. It sucks that you weren’t able to get any government help – it seems that small businesses like yours are the ones that would need it most. I still want to visit your place, just not sure when!
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People are getting tired of the coronavirus constraints so they are venturing out. That’s good news. I only hope it continues upward. Mississippi has considered closing things back down again, but the newest measures they’ve put into place seem to be helping a little bit. Most of the tourist stuff remains open, so that helps.
We have gotten some relief but when we initially applied we weren’t thinking long term. We asked for assistance for about 3 months, thinking that would be enough. But now, a few months down the road, we discover it wasn’t nearly enough. Hindsight and all. I guess we should have been more greedy in the beginning.
But, we’re going to be okay. Despite what happens, we’ll land on our feet and move on. It’s not like we haven’t started over before. Hopefully it won’t come to that.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your support.
Patricia
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Patricia – I woulda stopped if it were just me….. stayed a night and seen the military park one more time. We got my stepmom to Texas and she’s settling in…I’ve been home for 10 consecutive days, my longest streak since early June. Hope to keep it going.
Praying for you, Corey, the Baer House, and the cats. I know God is looking over you all. Stay positive or in the case of Covid19 – stay negative. Peace.
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Clay – you had a lot on your plate the last time you were near me. You did what was most important. Our paths will cross again one day, I’m sure of it.
You are right, God is looking over us and we’re going to be fine no matter what happens with the house. If this is the end, five years was a good run. If not, we’ll continue our efforts. Either way, we’re going to be fine.
Thanks for visiting and for your kind words. Always nice to know there are cyber supporters out there rooting for me.
Patricia
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