“We really want to reach out to the community and let them know we’re here,” Debbie Goode said.
The couple moved to the Springfield area from Orange County, Calif. They had been long-time lovers of the B&B culture and had searched for several years for a property to suit their needs. Their search had them looking at several states, including Washington, Utah, Kentucky and Virginia, before they settled on the property in Springfield.
The location also had an added bonus as it’s relatively close to their daughter, who lives in West Chester.
“I fell in love as soon as I pulled up in the driveway,” Debbie Goode said. “I knew I was in trouble because it’s exactly what I was looking for.”
The couple says the secluded, rural atmosphere is something they wanted because it offers potential guests a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
“It’s not that far away (from the city) but it still lets you get away from everything going on,” Brett Goode said.
The inn itself is in a home with nearly a century’s worth of history. It features three rooms that guests can stay in and offers a wide variety of amenities, including walk-in showers in some rooms and homemade breakfasts.
Debbie Goode cooks all of the meals and said she tries to make as much as she can from scratch. She said she’s learning more about the area and where she can find more Springfield-based products to include in the meals for guests.
The Goodes also are making efforts to tout Colonial Manor as a place to hold events like baby showers and bridal parties. Debbie Goode said they are interested in having community tea parties two or three times a week at the inn.
“We’re anxious to show the beauty of the inn and celebrate its history with everyone,” Brett Goode said. “We want to integrate more into the community.”
One of the rooms, the Goode Suite, is perfect for brides-to-be to prepare for their big day with their bridesmaids, Debbie Goode said.
“We want to focus on it being more of a honeymoon suite in the future,” she said.
Everyone in Springfield has been refreshing and friendly toward them since they arrived, they said, and they look forward to becoming a bigger part of the community.
“It’s nice to meet such friendly people, especially since you don’t always get that in Southern California,” he said. “We love the people here. They all have a very positive attitude.”
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