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Countryside Inn welcomes new owners

“The time was right,” said new owner Craig Dunbar when asked why he and his wife Patti had purchased the Countryside Inn on Hwy #3 along the outskirts of Princeton. Craig and his wife Patti are from Penticton and were looking for a new adventure when the Countryside Inn just kind of found them.
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Craig Dunbar has been hanging out at the Countryside Inn with his daughter Jane while he gets used to his new role as a motel owner and “retiree.” “I never wanted to just retire

“The time was right,” said new owner Craig Dunbar when asked why he and his wife Patti had purchased the Countryside Inn on Hwy #3 along the outskirts of Princeton.  Craig and his wife Patti are from Penticton and were looking for a new adventure when the Countryside Inn just kind of found them.  Craig was an administrator in the public school system who was winding down his career.  Patti is a realtor and the twosome always had an interest in business and the hospitality industry.  When they found out the Countryside Inn was for sale, they decided the time was exactly right to make a leap of faith.

Craig and Patti purchased the Inn from previous owners Bruce Campbell and Carol McConnell as a well-established motel.  “It appeared to be a good fit as the business we were looking for...the opportunity we were seeking,” Craig continued.  “We want to maintain this hotel to the excellent standard it is used to and expand its reputation.  We have quite a lot of long term guests and of course, short term guests as well and we are going to continue to encourage long and short term stays.  It is important to maintain that balance.  It is all part of meeting the needs of a small rural town.”

Patti and Craig have lived full time in Penticton for the past many years.  They have two grown sons and a daughter.  Andrew is twenty-seven and Stewart is twenty-four.  Jane is the youngest and a student at University of Victoria.

The couple see their future in Princeton as an exciting adventure and one which they wish to embrace wholeheartedly.  “We love the outdoors,” explained Craig.  “We cross-country ski, swim and cycle.  I love to jog and there are lots of nice trails to run on.  The Kettle Valley Rail Trail intrigues me.”

“I see Princeton as a community full of potential.  It has been great discovering all the things that are going on here.  There is a wide variety of businesses and interests in this community.  We plan to keep our finger on the pulse here.  With this job, an awareness of Princeton is huge.  There is activity all the time.  It is not a seasonal town, but rather one which is busy all year round.  We find the pieces of information we are finding out about this community very intriguing.”

Craig and Patti see the Countryside Inn as a user-friendly place to stay.  “We will be listening to the guests and what they need and want as we go along,” Craig stated.  “What is important to our guests is important to us.  Patti and I want to look at our adventure as a community adventure.  We are all in this together along with the all the other businesses in town, so we need to work together to promote one another.”

“This is an exciting endeavour for us,” concluded Craig.  “Something we always wanted to do.  Our feelings towards this town and this business are just right.  Princeton is a community brimming with community spirit and Patti and I fell in love with it.  This business in this community is the perfect fit.”

To find out about rates or amenities Craig and Patti invite everyone to stop by and say hello or call 250-295-7464 or 1-888-922-3466.  Countryside Inn is located at 301-Hwy #3 Princeton, B.C.