CEDARBURG – New owners of Washington House Inn, Christine and Jeff McLean see themselves with stewards who continue to maintain the history of the inn and maintain their community heritage.
The Mequon couple purchased a boutique hotel last December from Jim Pape and his business partners, including three buildings and the historic Schroeder House.
The Washington House Inn has 34 unique rooms, including five rooms located at Schroeder Guesthouse, just a few doors from the main inn.
For Christine McLean, Cedarberg is her “happy place” and she is excited to be part of a small town that feels like a picture book to her. She always wanted to run her own small business.
“We have a service mindset, and I think there’s a service aspect, especially running small businesses like the Washington House Inn, a cornerstone of our community,” she said. “Do you think it’s a better business than this?”
Public will be invited to meet the new owner at the inn’s open house on Sundays from 1pm to 3pm. Guests can explore several rooms at W62N573 Washington Avenue and Schroder House on the main inn.
Both the couple grew up in Mekong and attended Homestead High School. They had similar desires after high school and became pilots, but different paths: Christine McLean enters the Air Force Academy and Jeff McLean enters the Naval Academy.
The two reached out later in their lives, got married, and eventually settled in Mekong. McLean is still an Air Force reserve.
Before purchasing the Washington House Inn, Christine McLean effectively worked for the software company Salesforce. As my husband said, “the age of human beings” she didn’t like working remotely and was excited to ride a hotel.
Jeff McLean runs his own consulting company. He helps out with the hotel as Christine McLean works full time there.
The couple shares three young children who want to help out at the inn.
McLean didn’t think they owned the hotel. Jeff McLean said it just happened organically. Christine McLean’s family has known Papes for years. When they found out the hotel was on sale, they took their time before making a decision.
Now, MacLean is spending time learning the ropes for the inn from his longtime employees. Jeff McLean said it’s great that they’ve been working there for a long time and there are workers who know so much.
“Our job is to learn, support them and get out of the way,” he said, adding that they are listening to their ideas too.
Christine McLean said the best part about the hotel is the “great” team.
“I think hospitality comes naturally to them. They really welcomed us as new owners, so when I have questions about things, they are very helpful,” she said.
Since taking ownership, McLean has realized that many people may know about the Washington House Inn, but they are not inside.
“A lot of people have lived nearby for a very long time and have never intervened,” Christine McLean said. This is one of the reasons they have an open house. “If you’re interested in coming, come in.”
“They are cool, historic rooms, and all rooms are different,” Jeff McLean said.
He mentioned the hotel, made by local artists, and the art inside Cedarburg.
The open house also offers live music, raffles, snacks and drinks.
“We’re very happy to be part of this and continue to do great things,” Jeff McLean said.
For more information about the Washington House Inn, visit www.washingtonhouseinn.com.
