Bexley residents Lesli and Mike Mautz are opening their home to the public – for a reasonable $149 a night.
What the Mautz’s refer to as home is the soon-to-be-open Bexley Bed and Breakfast, located at 519 S. Drexel Ave. Anticipated to be up and running by late November, the five-bedroom B&B will offer those visiting Bexley a place to stay without having to find accommodations outside of the city.
Mautz said she feels there is potential for a real symbiotic relationship to form between her B&B and Capital University.
“We’re less than 500 feet from the entrance of Capital. I Googled it,” L. Mautz said. “I want the place to appeal to Capital parents, alumni, and sports recruiters.”
On top of providing accommodations for the extended Capital community, L. Mautz touched on how the inn may also provide daytime jobs for students.
Aside from the Capital community, the Mautz’s hope to attract visiting performers, lecturers, and businesspeople. Because the B&B will only be serving continental breakfast, L. Mautz also hopes to connect with surrounding businesses, such as Giuseppe’s Ritrovo, Cherbourg Bakery, and Terroir Wine Shop.
You may be asking: why would a recent retiree want to take on the task of being an innkeeper?
The idea to open a B&B in Bexley came to the couple after the lack thereof continued to pop up in conversations with friends.
“My children are out of college, so I said ‘why not open an inn?’” L. Mautz said. “I’m not the kind of person who says ‘I should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.'”
Seeing as the idea sprouted in January 2013 and construction followed in early December 2013, one might say their project progressed quickly.
It also may come as a surprise that the Mautz’s designed their B&B after a more contemporary model. As the business’s Facebook page claims, Bexley Bed and Breakfast is “where modern meets comfort.”
“I wanted this B&B to be very simplistic,” L. Mautz said. “…not to degenerate chintz and lace, but it’s just not me.”
After being given a grand tour of the place, anyone would agree L. Mautz took a creative spin with both the building’s structural and interior design.
Each bathroom will be accommodated with commodes and heated bathroom tiles and towel racks. Each bedroom will be named after great American cities, designated by airport call letters. The hallway leading away from the welcome area will act as a rotating art gallery, welcoming local artists to showcase their talent.
“I want this place to be filled with energy,” L. Mautz said.
Apart from what the B&B can provide its paying customers, the inn has a lot to offer to the city. L. Mautz said they plan on donating 20 percent of the B&B’s gross receipts distributed across five areas of interest within the Bexley community, those being: higher education, high school and primary education, community, religious affairs, and areas outside the community.
“I’m really interested in local philanthropic concerns,” L. Mautz said. “I’m excited to hear about the proposed grant ideas Capital students come up with.”
The Mautz’s have actually worked with Capital students in the past when she agreed to be the subject in Capital student Jason Lanning’s marketing project.
However, a marketing ploy might not be needed; she just booked her first reservation for July 4 of next year and calls for wedding reservations have already started coming in.
“For the most part, we’ve received a lot of support from the community. Within the first 50 seconds of our pitch, the Mayor said ‘hold it right there, I love this!’” L. Mautz said. “Bring me your snorers, bring me your insomniacs…Everyone is welcome.”
