A good story can get you an inn — with a view
Owner ready to pass along 1805 Maine B&B she won in an essay contest in 1993
“I would really like it to go to somebody where it’s something they really want to do and they’ll carry it on for a while.” JANICE SAGE CENTER LOVELL INN OWNER
Twenty-two years ago, Janice Sage wrote an essay that would change her life. Now, it’s somebody else’s turn.
After toiling in the restaurant industry for 16 years, Sage entered an essay contest in 1993 to win the Center Lovell Inn — a seven-bedroom estate sitting on six hectares in western Maine’s beautiful Lakes Region.
She won, and has spent the last two decades as the inn’s caretaker. But after almost 40 years in the hospitality industry, Sage said she’s ready to put her feet up and pass the inn along to the next wordsmith.
“This is the way I got the inn, so I decided I’d pay it forward to somebody else and fulfil their dreams,” she said.
Sage is holding her own contest, and looking for wannabe inn owners to submit 200 words on why they want to own the inn. Each entry must accompany a fee of $125 (U.S.).
She doesn’t want to give too much direction, for fear that people gear their answers to her own tastes. She’ll pick 20 finalists, and two judges will pick the winner.
If the contest garners more than 7,500 entries, she’ll give the winning entry a $20,000 start up bonus. Sage is hoping the essay contest will set her up for a nice retirement. The inn is valued at about $900,000.
Although the contents of Sage’s winning essay remain secret, she said one of the contest’s judges said her experience and passion for the hospitality industry proved she’d be the right owner of this gem.
“It really stood out to them that I’d be able to carry on the inn,” she said.
And carry it on she has. Sage starts her morning at 6:30 a.m. and ends the day at 10:30 p.m. managing a staff of about10 people and overseeing the kitchen, which specializes in traditional Maine seafood.
Since taking on this enormous property, Sage has redone the guestrooms, replaced beds, fixed wiring and heating and installed a new chef’s kitchen.
“And paint, paint, paint,” she said. “Whoever gets it can choose their own timing, but she pretty much lets you know when she needs painting.”
Over the years, she’s put about halfmillion dollars into the inn’s upkeep, and she expects the next owner to do the same.
“I would really like it to go to somebody where it’s something they really want to do and they’ll carry it on for a while,” she said.
Owning the inn, built in 1805, comes with some caveats: the inn must be maintained as a working country inn and restaurant for one full year, the building can only be painted white with hunter green, black or forest green shutters and the new owner assumes the responsibility of all repairs and legal fees.
“If they do an excellent job with it, the money will be there,” Sage said.
The contest is open to all nationalities, 18 years of age or older and willing to move to Center Lovell, Maine. The essay and its entrance fee must be received by the Center Lovell post office by May 17.
For details visit: wincenterlovellinn.wordpress.com.