Why We Always Start with Dessert

The Innkeeper’s Journal - By Amy Smith

Stories from the breakfast table, the historic homes, and the heart behind our hospitality.

Before there was the Inns at 8th & Main... before Dan and I ever welcomed our first guest... there was my Grandma Vern.

One of the questions we hear most often around our breakfast table is...

Grandma Vern and me. The inspiration behind every sweet beginning.

"Why do we start with dessert?"

The answer has nothing to do with breakfast. It has everything to do with my grandmother.

When I was a little girl, I spent countless hours with my Grandma Vern. If there was one thing she believed, it was that every day should begin with something sweet.

There was almost always a pie sitting on her kitchen counter. In the summer, that pie might have started with blackberries she and my granddad had picked together. Other times, it was angel food cake waiting to be sliced for whoever happened to stop by.

My favorite was always her raisin pie.

Grandma had a simple philosophy: eat dessert first. Just in case life gets busy and you never make it back around to it.

Looking back now, I realize she wasn't really talking about pie. She was talking about enjoying life's simple pleasures while you have the chance. That lesson has stayed with me my entire life. Today, it has become one of the traditions our guests remember most at the Inns at 8th & Main.

A Sweet Tradition

When you join us for breakfast, don't be surprised if the first thing that arrives isn't eggs or bacon. It might be a piece of fluffy angel food cake tucked beneath our signature yogurt and topped with balsamic strawberries. Maybe it's one of our little brioche Belgian waffles filled with Bavarian cream and finished with sweet-tart cherry compote. In the summer, it may be nothing more complicated than a perfectly ripe local peach served with a dollop of Bavarian cream.

They're never extravagant. They're simply delicious. And they're served with intention.

I've come to believe that hospitality isn't about doing the biggest things. It's about noticing the little things that make someone feel cared for. It's setting out real cream for coffee instead of tiny plastic cups. It's remembering a guest's gluten-free breakfast before they have to ask. It's making sure there's a cozy blanket in the room, a favorite snack waiting after a long drive, and a breakfast table where no one feels rushed.

Dessert first is simply our way of saying...

"Slow down. You're here now."

The Importance of Slowing Down

Life asks us to hurry almost every day. We rush through mornings, eat breakfast in the car, answer emails before the coffee is finished, and tell ourselves we'll slow down next week.

At the Inn, breakfast is different. We linger. We visit. We laugh. We share stories with guests who often arrive as strangers and leave feeling like friends.

Sometimes the sweetest part of breakfast isn't what's on the plate at all. It's the conversation around the table.

So if you ever find yourself staying with us in McConnelsville and someone places dessert in front of you before breakfast, you'll know why. It isn't just tradition. It's Grandma Vern's reminder that life's sweetest moments shouldn't be saved for later. Sometimes they're meant to come first.

Beyond Breakfast: A Thoughtful Stay

That same feeling of care continues beyond the breakfast table and into every room and suite at the Inns at 8th & Main. Each space has been thoughtfully prepared to help guests settle in, slow down, and feel at home.

We aim to create a sanctuary where you can unwind. Whether you’re here for a quiet getaway, a family trip, or a business visit, our goal is to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The Heart of Hospitality

Hospitality isn't always grand. Sometimes it's as simple as serving dessert first, just like Grandma Vern. It’s about the little touches that make a difference.

We believe that every guest deserves to feel special. From the moment you arrive, we want you to know that you are valued. We want you to feel the warmth of our hospitality in every interaction.

Conclusion: Finding Joy in Simplicity

Until next time... may you find joy in life's simple pleasures.

— Amy

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