Unique property exchanges hands in Northshore
A transfer of ownership of a distinct looking property in the Northshore occurred recently as the Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast in Upper Lake, steeped in local history, exchanged hands.
Both the previous owners, Paul and June Vejar, and new owners, David and Jami Smith, met Friday afternoon to celebrate the transition.
The Vejars have owned and operated the Bed and Breakfast since 2015 at the beginning of the Valley Fire. During their time as owners of the property they withstood fires, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic while still promoting their business, as illustrated with a feature on a “Good Day Sacramento” TV show in 2017. After seven years of devoted hospitality, the Vejars decided to sell their property and business in order to move to San Diego in order to be closer to family.
The new owners, the Smiths, shared their love for Lake County, having lived here on the lake for eight years. They too have experienced the devastation of wildfires here and reciprocal need for its overall revival. When he retired, David Smith promised his wife Jami they would live on the ocean and fulfilled that promise with a house on Pismo Beach. Shortly after, he found himself extremely bored and decided to purchase the Bed and Breakfast, a large project which moved them back to Lake County.
The Smiths are eager to get started, holding off on a grand opening as there is much needed maintenance necessary first. David Smith detailed the couple's plans for the resort with the goal of “creating a park like setting with modern features” beginning with some upgrades to the rooms, pool and hot tubs followed by a re-design of their waterfront eventually purchasing watercraft like jet skis, boats and kayaks, which will be available for rental. David Smith stated “We can bring it back one thing at a time. Fishing, water sports, I believe it's possible to bring it back and make it something really cool.” The new owners also repaired the 11 a.m. check-out train horn and have resumed its daily usage. The horn is now being heard all throughout the neighborhood.
Overall a general message was conveyed as David Smith further noted, “We are here because we want to be here. It's such a beautiful place and we look forward to creating something cool for the community.”
According to Evonne Landwehr a real estate agent with Luxe Places International Realty the 4.7 acre waterfront resort, located at 2870 Lakeshore Blvd in Upper Lake was built in 1900 and has multiple buildings including a two bedroom, one bathroom owner's cottage, boat ramp, pier, pool and hot tub, along with nine vintage rail road cabooses which are advertised from $175 to $200 dollars per night on the Featherbed Railroad website( feather bed rail raod. com). Landwehr said in an email “They listed the property with me this past fall and have had a tremendous response. Multiple offers came in on the same day. David and Jami Smith's offer of $1.1 million was the one accepted, closing the sale with Fidelity Title in Lakeport.”
David Smith detailed the couple's plans for the resort with the goal of “creating a park like setting with modern features” beginning with some upgrades to the rooms, pool and hot tubs followed by a re-design of their waterfront.