McLennan News A relaxing stay awaits you at Inn-1928. Kevin Laliberte: Express Staff. May 10, 2006 A McLennan couple's vision of transforming an early 20th century home into an inn-like atmosphere is generating local and international attention among people in search of a truly unique accommodations experience. All of that and much more is readily available in the downtown core of McLennan at the Inn-1928 (103 Centre Street), owned and operated by Randy and Pauline Jones. The couple jumped at the opportunity to purchase the historic home back in 2003 and haven't looked back since. "I've always considered the home to be a real charmer. It has a tremendous amount of character," says Pauline, who was like a kid in a candy store when the property came up for sale. "I had my eyes on the home for what seemed like an eternity. Purchasing it was like a dream come true." Randy and Pauline immediately went to work after signing on the dotted line in an effort to fully restore the vintage home and offer it to the general public as an alternate source for overnight accommodations within the community. "That was pretty much our goal right from day one," says Randy, who assumed the responsibility of carrying out the majority of the interior renovation work on his own to cut back on costs. "It was definitely a fixer-upper when we bought the home, but we’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time." The initial phase of the restoration process consisted of addressing some of the more pressing needs of the home. That included the installation of new electrical wiring and plumbing in addition to the removal of the old carpet, which revealed a hidden jewel in the form of original hardwood flooring. Additional work consisted of the removal of (three) layers of linoleum in the kitchen, washroom renovations, and some cosmetic work (drywall, paint, crown molding) and lighting. "It's been a true labor of love for us and a lot of fun at the same time," says Pauline, adding that they brought in family heirlooms and purchased a number of antique items to create the right atmosphere. "We dedicated a lot of time to browsing through antique shops in search of that perfect item to match and accent the decor," she explains, adding that it's been exciting watching the home go through its transformation. Inn-1928 is situated on a picturesque corner lot in McLennan's downtown core and offers two alternate sources of accommodations on the main floor and upstairs. One glimpse inside the one-of-a-kind home and you're immediate taken back in time to an era reminiscent of life in the early 1930s with the very best in modern amenities to make your stay an enjoyable experience. The refurbished home has three bedrooms on the main floor (with double and queen beds) in addition to two washrooms, a fully equipped kitchen with various appliances, dining area and living room featuring a brick fire place and satellite television. An upstairs suite, meanwhile, is equipped to meet the needs of an individual or a couple and includes a bedroom, washroom and kitchenette. Both the downstairs and upstairs areas of the home are available separately for accommodations. Randy says the business continues to attract most of its clients through word of mouth, adding that locals and tourists who've had the pleasure of staying overnight at Inn-1928 are all impressed by the attention to detail throughout the home. "It's really rewarding for us to hear the ooh's and ah's every time someone walks through the door for the first time," he says. "It gives them a sense of appreciation for the mood and atmosphere we've re-created here at Inn-1928." An added service provided at Inn-1928 by Pauline, a fully licensed massage therapist operating a small salon in the back of the building. The business operates by appointment only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. To book an appointment, call Pauline at 324-3670. Email:   twnmcl@serbernet.com