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Virginia in January
2009, to remodel and run a fishermans inn. Known in Chester County
for their high end bathroom remodeling business, Wardius Contracting,
Inc. has a great reputation as a quality, trustworthy contractor.
Looking for a place to escape crowds, Chris and Nikki started exploring
the Eastern Shore of VA in 2003. After the first year, they bought
a vacation house near the Folly Creek boat ramp and found themselves
there most summer weekends. Because of their entrepreneurial nature,
they started looking for other real estate options. We really had
no intention of leaving Oxford, but we thought the Inn could be
a fun investment They bought the Wachapreague Inn, comprised of
21 curbside accommodations, two-bedroom apartments, and a three
story house with a full kitchen and five suites.
Wachapreague, Virginia,
located 20 miles south of Chincoteague, 50 miles north of Virgina
Beach, is a nature lovers paradise. Known primarily for their flounder
fishing in the spring and offshore fishing in the summer, the area
has even more to offer. Unspoiled, shell covered beaches directly
in the migratory path for dozens of bird species. The numerous channels
and bays protected from the ocean by uninhabited barrier islands
create a habitat that is unique. Its not uncommon to see terrapin
turtles, bald eagles, and seals, find your own clams & oysters,
fill crab traps, catch minnows, and find whole sand dollars &
conch shells. Small boats are common in the back water ways, however
there is a deep channel leading to the ocean, used by the charter
fleet to go offshore. Although Wachapreague is a small town, it
has several marinas, a Coast Guard station, Virginia Institute of
Marine Science, William and Mary College Science Center, restaurant
& bar, market, post office, firehouse, park & playground
& tennis courts.
Fishing is important
to the town of Wachapreague known as The Flounder Capital of the
World. The Annual Flounder Tournament is held every April. Flounder
sometimes weigh as much as 9lb, 12 oz. winning $1500. We have seen
many flounders in the 5 to 7 pound class come to the docks in the
spring. It's very exciting to be part of that kind of action. Guests
also fish for Marlin, Blue Fin & Yellow Fin Tuna, King Mackerel,
Wahoo, Rock Fish, Sea Bass, Tautog, Blue Fish, Black & Red Drum,
and Croakers.
The
Inn was built in the 1962 and Wardius's started their renovations
by replacing all of the beds. They
updated each bathroom, replaced carpets & painted. They completely
renovated the office, replacing windows, flooring & creating
a warm, airy welcome center. They replaced the soffit, fascia, posts,
installed gutters & added a light over each door, what a facelift!
They installed a new well & instantaneous hot water heaters.
During the winter of 2010, they had both the 2 bedroom apartment
building and the big house lifted and set on new foundations. During
the lifting, Chris completely gutted the big house, built an addition
and did a full renovation new roof, windows, plumbing, electric,
heat/ac. All new bathrooms, carpet, great new kitchen/living room,
ceiling fans in each room. The big house consists of 5 separate
bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and a community kitchen living
room. The Wardius's are getting rave reviews from customers who
have made trips to Wachapreague a tradition. The return clients
are delighted to see the changes and energy surrounding the small
community. We having fun with our new lifestyle. Weve
met so many different people that all love thisLittle City by the
Sea.
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