RUMFORD – Last month, a 19th century Victorian farmhouse and dairy farm went to the dogs when it was bought by a Maine couple.

However, the duo – Jordan and Darlene Ginsberg – have bigger plans for the imposing home with its wrap-around porch than just adding a kennel for Darlene’s Killingworth Labrador retrievers.

Relying on their hospitality and resort experience, the Ginsbergs are converting the 15-room Rumford Point farmhouse to a 6-room bed and breakfast they call The Perennial Inn. They’ll open for business on Friday, Dec. 19

“We had no plans to do this, but then a friend of ours told us about it and we fell in love with the place. We love old houses,” Jordan Ginsberg said Monday afternoon.

Jordan Ginsberg said he’s long “had a desire” to operate a bed and breakfast.

Buying the old farmhouse and its 42 acres lot enabled the couple to realize a new business venture while providing them with enough room for Darlene’s dog-breeding business.

Darlene Ginsberg, a Massachusetts native, is a restaurateur with 20 years’ experience. She has also worked in the food and beverage sectors for several hotel chains. She’s also district sales manager for Avon in the western mountains region.

Born in Pennsylvania, Jordan Ginsberg “fell in love with Maine,” moved here and graduated from Bates College in Lewiston. Since then, he worked at Sunday River Ski Resort for 10 years as the competition and events director.

“Owning and operating a B&B has always been an ambition of mine and the property really works very well with us, with the dogs and as an inn,” Darlene Ginsberg said. “The house will be beautiful when it’s done.”

Once a working dairy farm and a three-generation cider mill, rooms in the towering farmhouse have wide pine floors, high ceilings, family antiques and fine furniture. Each of the rooms sports a private bath.

Located “a country mile” off Route 2 at 141 Jed Martin Road in the Blue Mountains, the inn parlays the region’s natural beauty with comfort and seclusion yet convenient access to local area attractions, Jordan Ginsberg said.

The inn’s 42 acres include grassy fields, pine forests, a stream and three small ponds.

“Within minutes, our guests can access alpine and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the winter months, and canoeing, kayaking, fly-fishing, mountain and road biking and hiking in the summer months,” he added.

“We’re marketing it to people coming to recreate in western Maine,” Jordan Ginsberg said.

Darlene Ginsberg said the inn would also suit “the more passive vacationer. We can take families, but this is more for adults looking for quiet leisure.”

She said Bethel and its “many fine-dining options” as well as specialty shops and countless antique stores within a 45-minute drive on Route 2 from the inn are added attractions.

“The inn will also be one of the few pet-friendly lodging choices in the region,” she said.

The animals will also find their own ceramic bowl waiting in the room, a cozy bed or crate, and a treat upon their arrival.

For more information call 369-0309, e-mail jordan@perennialinn.com or visit www.perennialinn.com or www.killingworthlabs.com.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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