Jay Honeck
Touchdown! Greaser!
Back in 2002, when Mary and I were considering buying an old hotel and converting it into an aviator's dream destination, I consulted "The Oracle" -- the piloting newsgroup, "rec.aviation.piloting" -- for advice and input. From the dozens (hundreds?) of responses I received, a business plan was born...
Although that wondrous piloting newsgroup of yore is dead, many (if not most?) of the regular posters from years past have migrated here, to PofA -- and I hope my heartfelt "thanks" reaches those of you who contributed so strongly and well to our success.
Not to make it all sound inevitable -- the results were always in doubt. The idea of converting an old hotel into an aviation-themed, all-suites hotel seems almost ludicrous, in retrospect. Heck, I was a newspaper guy, Mary a medical technologist -- what the hell did WE know about running -- or building -- a hotel? The answer was: NOTHING -- but we had owned two other businesses, were looking for a way to make money in aviation (and we all know how unlikely THAT is) so we forged ahead anyway in the face of open skepticism from many.
That was 6 years and 8 months ago. To illustrate our ignorance, our business plan called for us having all the aviation theme suites finished by 2005 -- in just THREE years -- an absurd goal, with 20/20 hindsight. What we never anticipated was that we would quickly become popular, to the point where it was quite literally impossible to remodel anything in the summer or fall. This unexpected success literally cut our remodeling time in half, resulting in our "little" remodeling project taking over twice as long as expected.
But, at last, it's done, and our last aviation theme suite is complete! Last week we opened "The Barnstormers Suite" -- a 1920's aviation themed one-bedroom whirlpool suite -- to rave reviews. See it here: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/the_barnstormers_suite.htm
To say it's been a long time coming would be an understatement -- it seems like I was a young man when we started -- and the project has not been without peril. Although 2008 was our record-breaking best year yet, last fall's "Crash of 2008" took a harsh toll on us, just like everyone else. Our fly-in guest count has declined precipitously, tracking the overall decline in general aviation -- and business travel during the week is off over 40% from a year ago. Luckily, however, our weekend drive-in business remains strong, and our extended-stay suites (nine more suites that are not aviation themed) have been continuously full for the last six years -- so we're doing fine and are positioned to be ready when the inevitable economic rebound occurs. See all of the aviation theme suites here: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/theme_suites.htm
Anyway, to those of you who helped with your advice, wisdom, input, criticism, and ideas, I thank you for helping to make our crazy idea a success! If you're on your way to OSH on July 25th, please remember to stop in for your FREE food and drink (See your invitation here: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/iowa_city_pool_party.htm ) -- our way of saying "Thanks!" for helping to make another great year!
And now, of course, we're looking to expand our concept into the sunbelt. Who knows where this might lead in ANOTHER 7 years?
:wink2:
Blue skies and tailwinds to all...
Although that wondrous piloting newsgroup of yore is dead, many (if not most?) of the regular posters from years past have migrated here, to PofA -- and I hope my heartfelt "thanks" reaches those of you who contributed so strongly and well to our success.
Not to make it all sound inevitable -- the results were always in doubt. The idea of converting an old hotel into an aviation-themed, all-suites hotel seems almost ludicrous, in retrospect. Heck, I was a newspaper guy, Mary a medical technologist -- what the hell did WE know about running -- or building -- a hotel? The answer was: NOTHING -- but we had owned two other businesses, were looking for a way to make money in aviation (and we all know how unlikely THAT is) so we forged ahead anyway in the face of open skepticism from many.
That was 6 years and 8 months ago. To illustrate our ignorance, our business plan called for us having all the aviation theme suites finished by 2005 -- in just THREE years -- an absurd goal, with 20/20 hindsight. What we never anticipated was that we would quickly become popular, to the point where it was quite literally impossible to remodel anything in the summer or fall. This unexpected success literally cut our remodeling time in half, resulting in our "little" remodeling project taking over twice as long as expected.
But, at last, it's done, and our last aviation theme suite is complete! Last week we opened "The Barnstormers Suite" -- a 1920's aviation themed one-bedroom whirlpool suite -- to rave reviews. See it here: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/the_barnstormers_suite.htm
To say it's been a long time coming would be an understatement -- it seems like I was a young man when we started -- and the project has not been without peril. Although 2008 was our record-breaking best year yet, last fall's "Crash of 2008" took a harsh toll on us, just like everyone else. Our fly-in guest count has declined precipitously, tracking the overall decline in general aviation -- and business travel during the week is off over 40% from a year ago. Luckily, however, our weekend drive-in business remains strong, and our extended-stay suites (nine more suites that are not aviation themed) have been continuously full for the last six years -- so we're doing fine and are positioned to be ready when the inevitable economic rebound occurs. See all of the aviation theme suites here: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/theme_suites.htm
Anyway, to those of you who helped with your advice, wisdom, input, criticism, and ideas, I thank you for helping to make our crazy idea a success! If you're on your way to OSH on July 25th, please remember to stop in for your FREE food and drink (See your invitation here: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/iowa_city_pool_party.htm ) -- our way of saying "Thanks!" for helping to make another great year!
And now, of course, we're looking to expand our concept into the sunbelt. Who knows where this might lead in ANOTHER 7 years?
:wink2:
Blue skies and tailwinds to all...
