Unique Dutch Village Inn now open in Columbiana

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The new four-story, Dutch Village Inn opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. June 16, followed by a public open house.

The Dutch Village Inn is located at 150 East State Route 14 in Columbiana, around the comer from Das Dutch Haus restaurant.

The one-of-a-kind Dutch Village Inn has 52 rooms and suites, two meeting rooms, and a banquet center.

Some of Ohio’s finest craftsmen have been involved in producing furniture, moldings, railings and fireplaces for the Inn.

Each of the six wings of The Dutch Village Inn has its own theme: Shaker, primitive, colonial, mission, cottage or Victorian. All of the wing’s rooms and suites are custom-decorated to express its particular theme.

For instance, the Shaker wing has rooms with simple stained wooden furniture, white walls with pegboards and quilts on the beds. Rooms in the Colonial wing house more elaborate painted furniture, wallpapered walls with framed artwork, and matelasse bedspreads.

Meeting facilities.

The Dutch Village Inn’s two state-of-the-art meeting rooms will accommodate up to 50 people each, and the banquet center accommodates up to 300

Partners in the project include members of the Ray Horst family, owners of Horst Packing and Das Dutch Kitchen, and members of the Ralph Witmer family, owners of Witmer’s Inc. farm equipment sales and construction businesses.

The two men and their wives, Ruth Ann Horst and Doris Witmer, are also co-owners of the successful Das Dutch Haus, which they began in 1982.

The story of the Inn goes back to about 20 years ago, when Witmer suggested to Horst that they should build an inn or a hotel. Horst remembers, “Just a dream is what it was until about ten years ago, when we really began to consider it.”

Deciding against a franchise hotel, they envisioned an Inn of their own design that would be a place for families, couples, and business travelers alike. The groundbreaking for the project was held a year ago.

Successful start.

Upwards of 50 jobs are expected to be generated by the new Inn, which the owners hope will enjoy an optimum 70 percent occupancy right away.

“We have been encouraged so far. The phones have been ringing constantly, and we were making a lot of room reservations and booking quite a few events, even before we opened,” said Georgia Kusiowski, general manager of the Inn.

The owners are relying on Das Dutch Haus and the seven Dutch Village Shops to serve as the anchors for the new business. The restaurant and shops already draw about 10,000 people each week, and host close to 100 bus tour visits each year.

For additional information, visit www.dutchvillage.net or call 330-482-5050 or 866-482-5050.