Posted: 7/11/06
New B&B has long history
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
A funny thing happened to Elizabeth Pieper when she opened her bed and breakfast in Caledonia. Suddenly, she was a Betsy.
ìIíve always been Elizabeth,î she explained. Her siblings couldnít pronounce ìElizabethî so she was Betsy to them as a child, but few people called her that as an adult, except for close family members.
But the name of the bed and breakfast turned out to be Betsyís B&B, thanks to her husband and co-proprietor, David, who thought the name Betsy worked best with ìB&B.î So these days, sheís known as ìBetsy.î
Elizabeth and David and their five children are the fifth and sixth generation to live on the Pieper farm east of Caledonia on Highway 249. The family has a new home on the property, and the farmhouse serves as the bed and breakfast. An 1896 granary, the oldest building on the farm, is now a gift shop.
ìItís kind of weathered looking, but thatís the way I like it,î said Elizabeth of the building.
Although she is a native of Janesville, Wisconsin, Elizabeth has been acquainted with the Pieper farm since the house was occupied by Davidís grandparents, Milton and Lorena. Her parents and Davidís parents, Wanda and Bernie, were friends and the families would often converge on the farm and spend time together. Bernie and Wanda eventually gave up their teaching careers and moved back to the farm. They lived in the house until Elizabeth and David moved to Caledonia several years ago. David and Elizabeth moved out of the farm house in November.
The house itself is a 1911 Sears and Roebuck house ordered from a catalog. A sister house exists just down the road, Elizabeth pointed out.
It was important for Elizabeth to maintain the country character of the home and surroundings. Itís not a Victorian ìpainted ladyî as many B&Bs are, but a home within a working farm. They have some cattle, chickens, and orchards for guests to experience. And the breakfasts usually includes farm-fresh eggs, which are for sale in the gift shop as well.
In fact, breakfasts at the B&B are usually whatever the guests prefer. It can be as simple as a basket of muffins or a hearty farm breakfast. The home features three to four rooms with queen-size beds. The downstairs bedroom has a private bath en suite.
A number of changes were necessary to prepare the home for guests. All the windows were replaced, in-floor heat was installed and major redecorating was undertaken to freshen the look of the house while maintaining its country character. Elizabeth particularly likes to work family antiques and other significant items into the home. With antiques available right next door at her antique shop, she can switch pieces in and out when the mood for change strikes. She also hopes to find family pictures which she can display to honor the heritage of the home.
ìOur goal is to preserve the house and farm and pass it on to our children,î Elizabeth explained. We are here to stay.î
The Pieper children range in age from 3 to 20, and operating the B&B and gift shop allows Elizabeth the flexibility to be available to her children, yet satisfy a desire she has always had to operate a business. As a child, she enjoyed visits to her grandmotherís antique and gift shop in Colorado, and itís always been a goal of hers to do the same.
Having a large family might explain why the Granary Shoppe Gifts and Antiques has a childrenís section with books and toys, some made by the Amish. There are also homemade blankets, baskets, seasonal fruits and vegetables, rugs, pottery by McCoy, Red Wing and Watts, and antiques. Elizabethís philosophy is that she wouldnít put anything in her store that she wouldnít have in her own house. She has a design degree and specialized in case goods and antiques, so customers can trust her judgement on that.
From July 22-29, Elizabeth will welcome visitors to an open house at the B&B and Granary Shoppe between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Watch for more details to come.
The number for Betsyís Bed and Breakfast is 724-FARM (3276).
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com