Over the past six years, John and Sharon Susavage have worked to restore a 1912 mansion in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Along the way, they agreed to sell the property to a developer for $3 million and started to undo their renovation work; that deal fell through, however, and they decided to resume their efforts to bring the building -- which was last occupied in 1978, the year casinos first opened in Atlantic City -- back to its original glory.
That work is complete, but their toughest challenge may lay ahead. The Susavages hope to open a bed and breakfast at the property and have started what the Press of Atlantic City calls "the lengthy process of being licensed as a bed-and-breakfast establishment." There are very few B&Bs actually located within the city limits of Atlantic City.
Opening an inn can be very difficult, particularly if the property has not been run as a bed and breakfast previously. Our collection of resources for aspiring innkeepers includes tips on deciding whether or not you have the right skills, writing a business plan, dealing with zoning issues, and more.