Our Story: How We Got Here

I, Marie Lindsey, and my husband, Jim Lindsey, bought a house in Jefferson after years of searching in winter and summer. Having vacationed in Maine with family, we thought a house would be a great family vacation place and, eventually, a permanent home. After buying the property, we noticed a commercial property for sale in the village. 

It is one of the biggest barns in Lincoln County. It has a solid granite block foundation and solid granite support posts. It is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 70 feet high. 

People recognized the historical and cultural significance of this barn.

We kept our eyes on the property as we watched the price decrease. 

Some people said they had no idea what could be done with it as it was for sale for three years. It was, in many ways, an albatross.

However, based on our years of experience renovating and leasing two function halls in Massachusetts, we could see the potential for this property as a unique event center combined with other commercial enterprises. The purchase price we knew would give us a considerable leg on making the whole concept financially viable.

Until he moved here, Jim held both a builders and realtors license in Massachusetts. His years of experience in renovation, construction, buying and selling properties, and property management, combined with degrees in real estate and land development, qualify him to create and manage a property this size.

I have business knowledge and IT experience, and I am a certified wedding planner. I am also a certified etiquette trainer and have taken other courses relevant to the industry. This educational experience and years of practical experience operating the two halls have rounded out my professional experience.

The purchase of event supplies also backed up the operation of the two halls. This inventory has been transferred to Maine and includes dishes, silverware, chairs, tables, linens, catering equipment, a portable dance floor, decorations, and some restaurant equipment. 

We would be remiss if we did not note our frustration in getting the permit to hold events at the barn.

What Is Our Plan?

We have all along viewed this as a real estate development project. We plan to develop and create other businesses on the property. Two buildings are already leased. For the future, we are looking at a party rental business, a laundromat, a pop-up restaurant, a winter function room, a commercial kitchen, a liquor license (need a kitchen)

The commercial kitchen will be used for catering events, a pop-up restaurant, and a testing kitchen for local chefs and vendors.

The barn finally has its events permits. Our highest priority now is the kitchen, allowing us to be a full-service event center with our liquor license. The next project will be the restaurant, followed by a small laundromat. A laundromat would also defray the cost of the cleanup of linens after events.

There’s also a large pavilion for outdoor events.

All these projects are on our list, and time and money will tell if we can do them. We certainly would love to accomplish all of them. Naturally, each one of them needs its permit.

We invite you to take a tour of the property, and please call, email, or text us for suggestions.