Meet Your Innkeepers
Kevin and MaLisa McOmber are from the upstate New York area. Both were raised in the southern tier and met while attending college in Alfred, New York. Married in 1988, they began their professional careers just outside the Rochester area. They started their family in 1992 at which time MaLisa began devoting her energy full time to raising their children. Kevin’s civil engineering profession moved the family to Gwinnett County in Georgia where they remained for 22 years raising their two children, Marissa and Andrew.
Throughout Kevin and MaLisa’s many travel experiences, they enjoyed staying at a variety of bed and breakfasts. These experiences, coupled with MaLisa’s passion for cooking and hospitality, sparked the “someday maybe” thought of pursuing becoming Innkeepers themselves. After becoming empty nesters, they began their serious search for a location to plant the innkeeper seed.
The opportunity to pursue the dream presented itself in 2017 within the City of Clarkesville, Georgia. Each visit to this small town complete with local shops, restaurants, and a community theater, along with the exploration of the many nearby amenities of hiking trails, fishing, natural waterfalls, and wineries, confirmed the desire to be a part of Clarkesville’s friendly community.
History of the House
The home is nestled in the City of Clarkesville, Georgia, on a side street and is within walking distance to the City’s downtown. Built in 1901, the home was originally referred to as the Henry Asbury House (also known as the Swain Residence) assuming its name after its original owner, Henry Asbury, who owned a hardware store on Clarkesville’s square. This historic home is a late example of a Plantation Plain type dwelling and a work of Rusk Church. On August 18, 1982, the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places within Habersham County and offers the quintessential North Georgia Mountains Bed and Breakfast experience.
Today, this 7000+ square foot home is known as the Asbury-Greene House and is included as one of the 19 stops on the City of Clarkesville’s walking historic tour. The dwelling has been expanded upon throughout the years and sits on over an acre of land. Upon acquisition in 2017, Kevin and MaLisa worked with architects and builders to redesign this single family dwelling into an in-town lodging amenity for the City of Clarkesville. All parties worked hard at creating a welcoming lodging option for its traveling guests without compromising the feel of the home’s historic charm. Along with the various indoor settings and large porches, the natural landscape of the grounds welcome guests with a large backyard retreat.
Take a stroll on the tree canopied side street into historic downtown to enjoy shopping at locally owned businesses and dining at restaurants. Walk to the city’s nearby greenway trail to discover the sounds and sites of nature or uncover some history at Clarkesville’s historic cemetery just a couple of blocks from the Inn’s historic entrance. The city’s community theater is just around the corner and is a nice addition for guests whose travel brings them in town during a scheduled production.
In addition, the Inn is a central location and a short drive to the many nearby small town settings as well as the bountiful beautiful landscapes the north Georgia region has to offer. Adjacent roads will lead you to quaint towns, each offering various shopping, dining and entertainment options. In addition, hiking trails, local wineries, natural water falls and nearby lakes, await exploration and make for an enjoyable day trip.