The Hatchery House, Weston

August 2024
Hatchery_House
Just across the street from O’Malley’s Pub and one block off Main Street, The Hatchery House dates to 1845 and was once occupied by one of Weston’s first mayors. Its name, coined in the 1940s, refers to the many newlyweds who had their first child while living in its subdivided apartments. The moniker stuck. Fast forward to the 1980s, after a full renovation the home opened as a bed and breakfast in 1987 just in time to be included in the annual Weston Candlelight Homes Tour.

As the home’s fifth owners, Richard and Julie Jones moved from Dallas/Fort Worth in mid-2022. Richard’s family lives in Weston and the surrounding area so they spent holidays here. During those visits, the couple fell in love with Weston’s small-town charm and diversity of activities.

“Each shop on Main Street is unique,” says Julie, a retired nurse. “The pace of life and being able to walk everywhere is wonderful, but we’re still super close to Kansas City and only 20 minutes from a major airport.”

The Jones welcome guests primarily Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus additional nights for holidays, festival weekends and business retreats. All four guest rooms, plus the separate cottage, boast fireplaces. Some contain jetted tubs. A unique gathering spot, the former root cellar-turned-speakeasy and event space sits directly behind the house. Richard saw potential and sandblasted its original brick walls and ceiling, built a bar and added barrel tables. The cellar comfortably accommodates 12 people plus another dozen right outside the door. Guests can bring their own alcohol and food or opt for a package with local beverages and snacks.

Upon check-in, my husband and I dug into Julie’s complimentary welcome box. We sampled charcuterie and chocolate, accompanied by local wine and beer. Homemade cookies are available 24/7, as are loads of snacks in baskets near the coffee and tea bar, creatively contained in a vintage white enamel stove.

Julie’s buffet breakfast is noteworthy—one of the best at any bed and breakfast we’ve enjoyed. In the cheery dining area, formerly a second-floor porch, guests sit at separate tables after serving themselves. We raved about the savory cheese and egg frittata, maple-bourbon sugar bacon, blueberry cornmeal muffins, creamy scalloped potatoes and strawberry pecan salad drizzled with homemade poppyseed dressing.

“I’m happy to accommodate any dietary need, and I’m always on the lookout when we travel for new spices to use in our breakfast dishes,” says Julie. “We support local and get our wine from around the corner and our beer from Weston Brewing across the street.”

Visit Hatcherybb.com for more information.