Main Street Inn B&B, Sainte Genevieve
February 2023
Originally built in 1882 as the Meyer Hotel, and considered the finest building in Sainte Genevieve, the Main Street Inn B&B lies in the heart of the historic district and a block from the train station.
Since the 1800s, it has always served as an inn, and for 100 years, a side addition operated as a saloon. Today, that space contains two street level, accessible rooms with private entries. One room is pet-friendly.
The inn’s first floor, constructed one story above street level, serves as an inviting and stately communal space with 12½-foot ceilings. Eight additional rooms are located on upper floors. Original artwork graces the walls, from Thomas Hart Benton-era oils to locally-created plein air paintings. Come evening, a wine reception in the north parlor features local cheese and sausage.
In 2016, physician Patrick Fahey and his wife, Susan Odonnell, a practicing internist in Sainte Genevieve for 30 years, bought the inn. Susan, who is originally from Ireland, spent time training at Loyola University’s medical school in Chicago where Patrick was on the faculty. Years later, they married, and Patrick moved to Sainte Genevieve after retirement.
“For many years, I took care of people medically, and now I care for people through hospitality,” says Patrick.
At the time of purchase, the inn was decorated with knick-knacks, heavy colors and lots of drapes. Patrick and Susan replaced the furniture (except in the dining room), added plantation shutters to the windows and painted 45,000 square feet of walls and ceilings in dove gray. They spent an entire year giving this tired Victoria lady a top-to-bottom restoration.
“It has a cleaner, more modern look while keeping the historic bones of the building,” says Patrick.
Savory breakfast dishes include house-made pastry, egg entrees using eggs from their own chickens and bounty from the large garden. An English cast-iron AGA stove attracts ample attention from guests. It takes two-and-a-half days to heat up its four different ovens, all with different temperatures, and stays on around-the-clock.
“Susan grew up in Dublin where they were very popular,” says Patrick. “It runs all winter until the heat of spring and summer arrive.”
Guests can enjoy four porches and a lovely garden featuring a pergola and 1895 smokehouse that’s now a garden shed. Above the garden waterfall sits a replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s sprite that he designed for the 1914 Chicago Midway Gardens. Free to friends of the inn, the annual summer garden party features a band and catered fare.
Visit MainStreetInn.com for more information.