MEET YOUR INNKEEPERS

John and Kate Loeffler purchased the Inn in February 2011. Together they have spent their entire professional lives in the hospitality industry.

It all began when they met in college while working at The Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant in Shepherdstown, WV. There, they began a passion for the food and beverage industry. After graduating they moved to Morgantown, WV where John worked in free-standing restaurants such as The Glasshouse Grille and Cafe Bacchus, and Kate worked in Human Resources at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania. After a year Kate had the opportunity to leave Nemacolin and continue her Human Resources career in Charles Town, WV. John left the restaurants in Morgantown behind to work with close friends at The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV.

It was during this time that they got engaged and decided to pursue careers in a little known place called Bath Co., VA. They were both hired at The Homestead Resort; John as the Manager for the Main Dining Room and eventually the 1766 Grille and Kate in Convention Services and Wedding Sales/Special Event Planning. After spending four and a half years there they decided to take on another infamous resort nearby, and left to work at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. John was asked to join The Greenbrier to open and manage their new steakhouse, Prime 44 West, while Kate went back to her HR roots as their Recruiting Manager. Each enjoyed their time at The Greenbrier, but always kept their sights on owning and operating something of their own.

That opportunity presented itself one random evening at a get together with local friends. John and Kate knew Bruce McWilliams and always enjoyed listening to him speak so fondly of his inn. That night Bruce mentioned that he and his mother, Janice, were ready to give up their business of 30 years, and move on to other adventures. John and Kate were both ready to start their own adventure, and inn keeping was the perfect opportunity for them to stay in Bath County and live their dream. In February 2011 they signed the paperwork to officially become the proprietors of The Inn at Gristmill Square. They never knew they could be so happy or feel so rewarded and fulfilled by simply doing what they enjoy most…taking care of their guests.

John and Kate reside near the inn with their dogs Porter and Rye.