The Victorian B&B provides alternative lodging option in Ritzville

The Victorian Bed and Breakfast, located at 105 South Division Street, provides guests with an opportunity to stay in a Victorian-era home close to downtown Ritzville.

Housed in a two-story Victorian built in 1899, retired pastor Jerry Mahn, and his wife Kathy, own the home and operate the B&B.

Jerry explained opening a bed and breakfast was a long-time goal for the couple.

The Mahns were living in Florida where Jerry was performing missionary work when they learned the local house was for sale. They purchased the home and later moved to Ritzville.

Kathy explained living in Adams County was not a new experience for them. The Mahns had previously lived in Ralston in a Victorian house before they moved to Florida.

The Mahns moved into the home and discovered a stairwell in the office leading to the second floor with three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Jerry and Kathy began remodeling the home to maintain the building’s Victorian era apperance. Some of the work included replacing tin ceiling and keeping the stamped tile, as well as preserving the original stained glass windows.

The Mahns are continuing other projects on the home, including the installation a three-tier concrete water fountain.

The Mahns converted one of the bedrooms into a dining room.

A reservation at the Victorian allows guests access to two bedrooms. One of the bedrooms, the Victorian Room, has a queen-sized bed with blue wallpaper, Tiffany lamps and Victorian-era wool carpet.

The other bedroom includes a double bed. Guests who stay in the room can look through editions of the Spokesman Review and The Ritzville Adams County Journal dating back to the 1940s.

The second floor also has a dining room where breakfast is served. Jerry noted the china set and the silverware used originally belonged to Kathy’s family.

For breakfast, the Mahns offer muffins, eggs, Belgian waffles, sausage, cereal or bagels. Drink choices include coffee, tea, orange juice, milk and bottled water.

Guests are provided with basic amedities and access to the clothes dryer. There is also a laptop workspace and free wireless Internet.

The Mahns opened the home to guests in October 2017. Kathy said business started slow with only 1-2 guests staying in the first couple of months.

She added more guests began staying at the Victorian after Christmas.

After the 10th guest, the Mahns realized the house could consistently operate as a bed and breakfast.

One of the reasons they enjoy operating a bed and breakfast is it allows them to meet people from different background and cultures.

Jerry added some of the guests who have stayed at the Victorian have come from India, Russia, Japan, Australia, South Africa.

Jerry noted they have a motto for guests at the Victorian, “When you stay here, you’re like family.”

“When you sit down with them, it feels like they have known them for years,” Kathy said.

Jerry explained guests enjoy staying at the Victorian because it allows them to stay in Ritzville, which is smaller and quieter compared to larger cities like Spokane or Seattle.

The Mahns also enjoy operating the Victorian because it keeps them busy, and provides them with an income stream to cover expenses.

The price to reserve a room at the Victorian starts at $59 per night. There is free parking on the premises for guests.

Guests can check into the B&B is between 3-10 p.m. while the check out time for guests is 11 a.m.

To reserve a room at the Victorian, visit https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19528306. Guests can also contact The Victorian at 407-403-4718.