#2446 Historic Connecticut Inn and Tavern with income potential from many diverse business opportunities and access to Beaches and Historical Landmarks

Built in 1725 along an old Indian path, a weekly stagecoach from Norwich to Providence began to run by the Tavern in 1768, which years later, ran daily. Town historical records indicate that the "spacious tavern house for the accomodation of travelers" operated by Captain Eaton "became a very noted and popular resort". George Washington stayed at the tavern in 1776 and in 1781, which said arrival is illustrated by a large wall mural (approximately 7x8 feet in size) inside the front door entrance area of the Plainfield town hall. History indicates Lafayette wrote a letter while sitting in an antique chair on the inn's front stoop. In 1797 Captain Eaton opened a post office which was Windham County's third. This house was also the original courtroom for Judge Joseph Eaton.

  

In addition to the fact that George Washington and Lafayette stayed at the property, the Prudence Crandall House is one of numerous area Historical Landmarks that history buffs from afar may be interested in touring. Prudence Crandall’s Academy to educate the daughters of local wealthy families transformed, in 1833, by becoming the first integrated school in the U.S. when she admitted a 20 year old black female named Sarah Harris. As the white families withdrew their daughters, Prudence responded by replacing them with free black female students from as far away as Boston, New York and Philadelphia.

Prudence was arrested and put on trial twice. In 1886 the legislature honored her stand by granting her a pension of $400 a year. In 1995 the CT General Assembly passed an act making her CT’s state heroine. Other attractions include the Nathan Hale homestead in Coventry, and the Henry Bowen House (Roseland Cottage) in Woodstock that was host to 4 U.S. Presidents. Southeast CT is the state’s number one tourism market due to the diversity of attractions

 

The home features original wide board floors, dentil moldings, original iron latch door fixtures, stonewalls with granite post gate, 2 refurbished and working Rumford fireplaces, all updated systems and a 2 dog shed/kennel. Today the home is used as a residence and is located in mixed use area on Rte 14A (a modestly traveled route) just several hundred yards from I-395 exit 88.

 

This location offering outstanding visibility and accessibility is complimented by zoning regulations that allow for a multitude of in home business uses, including by special permit, the operation of a Bed and Breakfast and/or an accessory apartment.

 

While there is plenty of opportunity for business, on the realistic side, a building design offering “spacious accommodations” in the 1700’s has it’s limitations by modern standards which is one reason the Tavern is hundreds of thousands of dollars less than any other B&B offering in CT. A floor plan layout of the building is provided here.

 

There are four bedrooms and a bath on the second floor. Two of the bedrooms are small. One option would be to put a bathroom in next to the largest bedroom for a premier room (existing closet between the two rooms already has an opening), while offering the other 2 rooms with the existing bath as a suite. The addition of an accessory apartment is allowed by special permit. This is an excellent location for many types of small businesses offering high visibility and superior highway access. Obviously any business conducted in harmony with preservation of the home will be of less intensity than conventional commercial. Commercial sites with similar highway access in this area and others sell for the list price of this property (and more) for the land alone.

 

ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL USES FOR 20 ACADEMY HILL RD

(FORMERLY EATON’S TAVERN)

MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL/HOME BUSINESS ALLOWED IF CONDUCTED WITHIN THE MAIN DWELLING AS A SECONDARY USE AND NOT MORE THAN TWO EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT RESIDE AT THE PREMISES. EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

• Insurance
• Engineering
• Architect
• Real Estate
• Day Care (maximum 6 children)
• Hair Care
• Accountant
• Dog Grooming/Pet Care
• Teaching of skilled crafts limited to class sizes of 8 twice per week

ALLOWED WITH APPROVAL OF SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION:

• Bed and Breakfast
• Day Care more than 6 children
• Accessory Apartments

 

There is the glitz and entertainment of two of the world’s largest Casinos without city or in some cases seedy environment of those in other locations. There is the history and preserved authenticity of the seaport villages. The Mystic area and the Rhode Island Beaches is where the protected waters of Long Island Sound meet the open ocean. The “Rhode Island Beaches” differ from Connecticut beaches because they offer open ocean with surf. This area is where the protected waters of Long Island Sound meet open ocean. This combination offers some of the best boating on the east coast. I-395 is an optional route (never congested) to this area for many Massachusetts travelers, including from Boston. Also present is the rural character of Northeast CT (Plainfield is considered part of Northeast CT). This federally designated area of bountiful natural beauty offers the last undeveloped area in the Boston to Washington D.C. east coast megatropolis.
For more info visit www.thelastgreenvalley.org.

Other business potential from the south could be realized if tourists visiting Mystic, casino travelers or others from metro NY/NJ be persuaded to travel another 15 to 20 minutes north on I-395 (off of I-95) if offered an alternative historic theme, or, the fact that there are no accommodations available at other hospitality facilities for those who have dogs. For those traveling to Maine, interstate 95 to 395/290 to 495 is an alternate to interstate 84 to 90/290.

Approximate driving time to some area points of interest for potential to draw business:

• Mill Ridge Manor, a major wedding facility, Plainfield, CT 5 minutes
• Prudence Crandall House and Museum, Canterbury, CT 5 minutes
• Hopeville State Park, lakefront beach and recreation facility 7 minutes
• River Ridge Golf Course (18 holes) 8 minutes
• Wright’s Mill Farm, 500 capacity wedding facility, Canterbury, CT 15minutes
• Mohegan Sun Casino 22 minutes
• Foxwoods Casino and Resort 25 minutes
• Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium 35 minutes
• U. S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT 35 minutes
• Providence, RI 40 minutes
• TF Green International Airport (Providence) 40 minutes
• Ocean Beach Park, New London, CT 40 minutes
• Misquamicut State Beach, RI 50 minutes
• Bradley International Airport (Hartford) 65 minutes

This Historic Connecticut Potential Bed and Breakfast is offered for sale at $325,000