Cedars, January 2018

January 2018 11 REVIEW shop full of unique items inspired by the likes of Thomas Kinkade, ensure that, as Stuart puts it, the Hearthstone is “a type of facility that cannot be duplicated.” The Zahareks opened the Hearthstone Inn in 2001, one week after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “It was not the ideal time to open up a hotel, but we did and we’ve been here ever since,” Stuart said. The Zahareks conductedmarket research and concluded that a successful hotel was feasible in Cedarville, especially if the hotel had a market outside of Cedarville University. Carol Stewart has been a housekeeper at the inn for 11 years. Having lived in Cedarville since she was 5 years old, she said she never wanted a hotel to open in Cedarville, fear- ing it might attract a lot of out-of-town visitors who might alter the feeling of the town. Her mind completely changed. “I love the atmosphere,” she said. “I love the people — we have wonderful people staying here, and a lot of them are connected to the university.” The 20-room inn employs eight part-time employees. Reservations can be made for three room types: a single king, a double queen and a Jacuzzi king suite, featuring a separate king bedroom and living room, an electric fire- place, a 55-inch on-the-wall entertainment center, DirecTV in HD and much more. All of the Cedarville University chapel speakers stay with Hearthstone Inn and Suites per accommodation dic- tated by university administration. The Jacuzzi king suites are the inn’s most popular room type being booked primar- ily by the aforementioned chapel speakers and an array of honeymooning couples. “Our major market outreach has to do with Cedarville University, being half to two-thirds of our clientele,” Stuart said. Another large percentage of the Hearthstone’s clien- tele, according to Stuart, comes from the Little Miami Bike Trail and Ohio-to-Erie Bike Trail, both of which run through Cincinnati and Columbus. The inn is located roughly halfway in-between these major cities, making the inn an excellent resting spot for avid cyclists who often struggle to find a hotel so close to the bike path. Last summer, in an effort to accommodate large biking groups, the inn constructed a new side patio where the cyclists can gather and relax, which is similar to the atmosphere of a European hostel. These groups at times occupy as many as eight to 10 rooms. Guests can rent single or tandem bicycles during the summer months. In addition to being a tourist attraction, the inn is high- ly involved in the local community. Stuart and some of his family are involved in the Labor Day Parade dressed as Civil War soldiers each year. Stuart is a federal Civil War re-enactor as well as a Civil War history buff. “That history and that part of history is really part and parcel of who I am,” Stuart said. This may contribute to the historic feel of the Inn and the Civil War-era decorations that adorn the walls. Stuart said that, as a hotel, community involvement can be challenging but the Hearthstone actively seizes op- portunities that arise. This past year the Hearthstone dis- tributed 35 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts at Little Town of Lights in downtown Cedarville. Reviews of the inn are positive and the Hearthstone has received many accolades, including a TripAdvisor Cer- tificate of Excellence. Customers rave about the the atmo- sphere. Terry W. said in a Google review, “Surprisingly the little touches made you feel that your stay was important to the owners.” Jeremiah Clarkson, another reviewer, said, “I have been coming here every year right after Christmas for the past 6 years, and I hope to continue to do so for many more years.” Customers also remark on the inn’s outstanding level of cleanliness. Stuart mentioned that tidiness is a major concern to the hotel. “Most franchises have house keepers that take, on aver- age, 23 minutes to clean rooms,” he said. “Our housekeep- ers here spend 40 minutes to an hour to clean a room.” Stuart doesn’t see the inn going in any different direc- tions in the future but foresees renovations within five to 10 years. Due to their preference for a late 19th century feel, Stuart says, “You will not find a lot of flashing screens and modernist type stuff coming in; we will modernize only as culture necessitates their expectations, consequently you find free Wi-Fi here.” The small size of the inn has allowed the owners to im- plement upgrades and cost-effective methods that many larger franchises can’t. It has also allowed them to maintain their decorative and enriching atmosphere. Stuart said he is convinced that a great many of the students at Cedarville University are unaware of the town that exists beyond the traffic light leading out of town and encourages them to stop by and look at the gift shop. The inn does not seem to be going anywhere soon, giv- en its positive reviews. “Well, 16 years later and we’re still here,” Stuart said. “God owns Hearthstone Inn and Suites. We just write the checks.” Gabe Chester is a junior global business and marketing major and off-campus reporter for Cedars. He loves music, sports, school and God. Photo by Christian Cortes The lobby of Hearthstone Inn and Suites is warm and inviting even when it isn’t filled with Christmas cheer over the holidays.