By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — When Rick Kelley was looking for an investment seven years ago, his broker offered the now transplanted New Hampshirite little encouragement. “He didn’t think I would be interested and I said ‘let me decide.’ My dad and I hopped into my pickup and by Friday I made an offer. I purchased [Ivey’s Motor Lodge] by Nov. 18, 2002,” said Kelley.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KEY — Rick Kelley, owner of Ivey’s Motor Lodge since November of 2002, stops in the lobby to confer with Linda Drake, desk manager. Kelley says: “Customer service is number one. It’s absolutely number one. If my guests aren’t satisfied, then generally I will attempt to call them back.”
He explained one of the determining factors was location, location, location — a revered principle in real estate. “For me, I think the location was the biggest thing. It was adjacent to the interstate. The property size showed great potential for expansion and the overall atmosphere of the community appealed to me as well. There weren’t a lot of other motels in the area that had what I was looking for when I went around town. I saw this as being a great opportunity for me at the time.”
Major investment
Since buying the property off I-95, Kelley said he has made a major investment in upgrades. “Well, I have put in three times what I purchased the property for.” When pressed for an amount, he said: “To give you a dollar figure – two and half million dollars since I purchased it. You might say I’m married to it. I’ll be here for 20 years,” added Kelley with a smile.
And, he said, those upgrades are an adjustment to meet current expectations with regard to amenities such as larger TV sizes and bed sizes, electronic media, Internet connectivity and ADA compliance for people with disabilities. Another way to jump into today’s technology is expected this week — a new $30,000 LED sign that will post messages about weddings, events in town or rates.
“I added 14 rooms in 2006. And, in November of last year I started an expansion of 15 more and a conference room that opened this year. So, now we are at 52 rooms plus the conference room plus the lounge,” said Kelley.
“It was very critical being the first property off the Interstate. The economy has hurt us and we are down from previous years. But, I’m optimistic that we’ll see occupancy return with the right economic stimulus.”
Although the conference room has yet to find its niche as a go-to place for business events and meetings, Kelley held onto his sanguine perspective: “The conference room needs time. It’s not where I want to see it.”
Generally, he says, June through October is the season when Ivey’s is consistently busy. “Some of the biggest events are Houlton Fair events — the comedy show in April and the Fourth of July weekend.”
But if you plan to bring Fido or Muffy, you have to check in elsewhere which is good news for allergy sufferers. Linda Drake, desk manager, said: “We get calls from a lot of people with dogs and cats and birds. We tell them we’re sorry. We have a no-pet policy due to allergies because there are a lot of people who have allergies. Even if cat or dog is in a cage, it’s still in the room.”
Catching up with Kelley is not easy since he wears so many hats. “I work the property. I don’t have a manager. I work every aspect of the property from cleaning the rooms to working the desk to tending the bar. I’m not the greatest bartender, but I do what I have to do. I do all my own repairs other than work that is required by licensed professionals – electrical, mechanical or anything catastrophic. My time is more valuable taking care of the day-to day operations.”
1947 expectations into the present
Henry Ivey built the original Ivey’s in 1947 on the Bangor Road which was the main thoroughfare into Houlton at the time. He built his second property, the one off I-95, in 1984 and managed both until 1991 when he sold the Bangor Road property that is now Scottish Inns.
“Henry Ivey took me under his wing for about a month and showed me how he operated and I hope that I live up to the quality that he had in the rooms. He was known for the impeccable cleanliness and the attention given to the guests. In my opinion, I have not deviated from what he offered the guests. I’ve just expanded it. I’ve changed some things around that I feel had to be adjusted in terms of today’s standards.
“Customer service is number one. It’s absolutely number one. If my guests aren’t satisfied, then generally I will attempt to call them back. I have discharged staff because of their attention to guest services,” emphasized Kelley. He added that about 80 percent of his clients are travelers, the other 20 percent are a mix of business people or those visiting others in the community with a “good repeat clientele and good feedback on the Internet.”
The U.S. Commerce Association, a private Washington, D.C. business group, recently awarded Ivey’s its 2009 Best of Houlton Award in the hotel and motel category.
Current rates start at $68 and go up to $95 a night for the honeymoon suite that has a hot tub and king size bed. Kelley ticked off a list of some of the amenities guests can expect: “Every room has two sinks, ironing board, iron, coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, wireless Internet capability. Most rooms have two beds. TV’s range from 27 inches to 37 inches, CD player, clock radio. Every room has the same amenities. All have cable plus all HBO channels and there is a free continental breakfast. We have a laundry facility with supplies.” Drake has a supply of DVDs at the front desk which are available for a nominal charge if nothing on TV is to a guest’s liking.
Kelley said “We’re open 24-hours a day. There’s always a light on and a warm face here that greets the people. And, I’m always available.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
AWARD WINNER — Ivey’s recently won the 2009 Best of Houlton Award in the hotel and motel category of the U.S. Commerce Association, a private Washington, D.C. business group.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
HONEYMOON SUITE — In addition to the amenities found in all rooms at Ivey’s Motor Lodge, the honeymoon suite has a hot tub and a king-size bed.
