Winter of 2010 Remodeling Project - lifted both the 5 bedroom house and 2 bedroom apartments. 

We completely renovated the big house.  3rd floor rooftop deck coming soon....

Chris & Nikki Wardius, Oxford residents, moved their family & business to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in January 2009, to remodel and run a fisherman’s 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  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 lover’s 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.  It’s 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,

Fishing is important to the town of Wachapreague - known as “The Flounder Capital of the World.”  The Annual Flounder Tournament is held every April.  2010’s winner was 9lb, 12 oz doormat, winning $1500. “We have seen many flounders in the 5 to 7 pound class come to the docks this 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 1970’s and Wardius’ 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’ 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’re having fun with our new lifestyle.   We’ve met so many different people that all love this “Little City by the Sea”

Meet Chris and Nikki Wardius, Inkeepers

Chester County Pennsylvania family follows their dream – to run a Seaside Inn