A Springfield bed and breakfast has been impacted by COVID–19

Jan. 21, 2021 | Carolyn Noel
carolynn@thereminder.com

Marci Webber and her daughter Naomi during the early days of Naomi’s Inn. The Inn opened in 2007, and now Naomi is 21.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD – The hospitality industry was one of thousands that struggled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Many hotels were forced to close their doors to travelers and saw a decrease in customers because of the virus.

According to the State House News Service (SHNS), “Results of a new national survey show the extent of struggles that hotels continue to face due to Americans staying away from traveling for leisure, business, or the upcoming holidays.”

Marci Webber, owner of Naomi’s Inn, reflected back on the challenges they faced due to COVID-19 and how the bed and breakfast’s holiday season fared.

Naomi’s Inn opened in 2007, after Webber relocated to the Springfield area from California. While living in California on an air force base, Webber had to travel over an hour to the nearest hospital to receive care for her daughter Naomi. According to Webber, doctors had told her that Naomi would never walk, talk or hold her head up. After long drives to the hospital, Webber longed for a relaxing place to retreat to.

“All we wanted was a place like this, where it was moments from bedroom to bedside where I could be close to her in pivotal moments when you have to make very important health decisions,” she said. “It’s good to be able to come back at the end of the day and have all of your needs met, be relaxed and in a good state of mind so you’re able to make good choices for your loved ones.”

This prompted Webber to create Naomi’s Inn. In 2003 she moved to the area, bought the house and began redesigning it. When she started, Webber had no previous experience in the hospitality industry.

“It was a mixed bag. Converting a house from the 1800s as well as being home with a compromised daughter, as well as opening a new business, it was a lot,” she said.

Since opening, Naomi’s Inn has been hosting guests for both short-term and long-term visits. Naomi is now 21 and doing great, according to Webber.

“You absolutely could not tell by looking at her that anything ever was wrong,” she said.

The bed and breakfast can host up to 18 guests in their various rooms. Each room is completely different in their style, but all have sleeping areas, sitting areas, private baths, WiFi, large screen televisions, fireplaces and more. Webber also cooks and serves breakfast daily for her guests.

In April, Webber closed the doors to Naomi’s Inn for only the second time in her career. The first time had been for personal reasons when her mother passed, she said. This time hotels, motels, inns and short-term rentals were forced to close by Massachusetts state orders, unless hosting residents and essential workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.

In order to stay afloat, Webber had to pivot.  Naomi’s Inn became a haven for nurses and essential personnel working at Baystate Medical Center right across the street.

“I was afraid we would lose the house. Thank God I have a husband that has a job and he took extra work. But the first responders, we did give them a huge break but they also gave us something to post and something to keep us going. We still have some people that are working across at the hospital and that are working with COVID patients,” she said.

When taking in many healthcare workers who needed a long-term place to stay, Webber also provided them with a large discount.

“The businesses that made it though COVID were willing to pivot. That was the key. Closing when you need to, changing who you’re serving and who you’re dedicated to, your population, what you’re offering, things like that to not only make more amenities but shift as you need to stay alive in this kind of changing economy,” she said.

When hotels were given the green light by Gov. Charlie Baker to open up again for travelers, Naomi’s Inn also began welcoming those needing a place to stay for work and those visiting loved ones at Baystate.

According to Webber, they have had to change some of their usual procedures due to COVID-19.

“We were really, really conscientious about any sort of contact. We do contactless check-in where we send a self-check in link and we do contactless breakfast. I bring breakfast to your room so we’re not gathering. We clean with Microban,” she said.

According to Webber, their holiday season was right on track for what it usually is. She said that winter is usually their slow season.They have seen a decrease in those traveling to the area for weddings or large events, but people have still stayed for work, leisure, and due to proximity to the hospital.

“Right now with people needing to stay close to their loved ones, they can’t be in the hospital even still but they stay close and they’re right across the street,” she said.

The small bed and breakfast hosts fewer guests than a standard hotel, which makes it more appealing for those looking to keep up with social distancing, said Webber.

“Everybody’s just sort of keeping to themselves and not really intermingling,” she said. “Especially right now, there’s certainly fewer people than a hotel. In general, it’s more welcoming and individual and it has all of the amenities of a hotel but in a more homey and personal environment. All the rooms are individual so you can choose the room based on your personality. And, of course, the breakfast never hurts.”

Looking ahead to 2021, Webber hopes that travelers and the local community will keep Naomi’s Inn in mind if they need a place to stay. Webber has also opened a nutrition shop within Naomi’s Inn called Fairy Good Nutrition. They are open to the public and serve healthy smoothies and energizing teas.

“I know that people are sensitive to the small business right now and if you see a bed and breakfast, we are the smallest small business. I clean, I cook, I wait on the people and I greet the people,” she closed.

Those interested in learning more about Naomi’s Inn are encouraged to visit their website at http://www.naomisinn.net.

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