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Kochers Retire Cook Homestead Bed and Breakfast

(Text below republished with permission, The Clarion News)
By Jessica Falkowski, Clarion News Writer, 8/5/08

As for retiring, the couple feels they are at that point in their life to relax and start spending time with their children and grandchildren.

"This is a very tiring business," said Mr. Kocher. "There's a lot of behind the scenes work that people don't know about. We have laundry galore. With a full house of guests, that's a lot of laundry not to mention the dishes and maintenance that has to be done."

Mrs. Kocher added, "Our children are all over the country; we have 17 grandchildren. We don't get to see them because we don't get time off from this."

As for what will happen to the home, the couple would like to see it converted into a historical museum. However, the state has purchased the home and the future of the house remains uncertain.

For those considering opening a bed and breakfast, Mr. Kocher offers these words of advice: "Do it when you're relatively young. It's both mentally and physically tiring. But even with all that exhaustion, you'll create a lot of good memories."

The bed and breakfast will officially close the first weekend of November.

"When the last guest leaves our home, the sign will come down," said Mr. Kocher. But even as the couple prepares to close their doors, they still reminisce about all the great people and wonderful memories they have.

"We enjoy watching people come to our home to stay and sitting on out on our porch looking at the river," said Mr. Kocher. "They look so relaxed, and that's a great thing to see from our guests."

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