Coeur d'Alene Idaho's American Country Bed and Breakfast
American Country Bed and Breakfast in Coeur d'Alene Idaho
Home Accommodations Reservations Attractions Special Events Reserve your room now

Inn Retirement | Operating a bed & breakfast in the Prime years

The following article appeared in Prime in November of 2008, a magazine covering the Inland Northest. [return to Inn the News]

The Prime Inland Northwest cover story

Inn Retirement: Bed and breakfast operators work hard while living ou their dreams.

Fellow North Idaho innkeepers Shar and Brian Scott didn't want a life of leisure when they retired, either. They were both in their late 50s, and Shar says, "We weren't ready to completely hang up our shingle. The central-California natives had planned to spend their retirement years somewhere on the Washington or Oregon coast. We thought maybe we'd end up on the beach with an ocean view, says Shar with a laugh. That changed when they made several visits to friends in Coeur d'Alene. Visit during all foru seasons, she says they ...

... found more to enjoy about the area with every trip. And like the Bonzeys, the charm of bed and breakfasts always had appealed to them. In fact, Shar believes her husband planted the idea of one day operating an inn by arranging for them to stay at a different bed and breakfast each night of their honeymoon 15 years ago. While looking for property in North Idaho, they found a home being built on 5 acres surrounded by pines and tamaracks. The builder just happened to be a former bed and breakfast owner. It seemed fate had handed them the ideal spot with the perfect builder. The Scotts opened American Country Bed and Breakfast in January of 2006. Though it is only in its second year of business, the inn was awarded a Best of the West award in 2007 from BedandBreakfast.com. It's been a great way to interact with people and supplement our income, Shar says.

At American Country, the Scotts found the perfect setting for their amazing collection of country store themed antiques. Country stores are in Shar's blood. Her family has operated such shops since the late 1700s. A large wooden candy counter complete with display cases spans one corner of the living room. We're crazy about candy stores and memorabilla, Shar says. .... Shar Scott concurs. We do it all ourselves, but every day that we're here, we pinch ourselves. We feel like we discovered paradise.

[return to Inn the News]

American Country Bed and Breakfast • 705 Zircon Lane • Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 • 877-664-9650 •

sitemap