Our Story

Enjoy Something Moore, Enjoy Something Different, Come Stay With Us!

A guest once reminded us of an old Irish B&B Tradition, they would sit you down to have a drink and always ask, "What's your story?" Well here is a little bit about our story. We hope when you visit, you will tell us your story!

It has been 2 1/2 years since we moved our family across country to purchase the Inn at the Bryant House and what an amazing journey it has been! We are so blessed to live in a beautiful and safe community full of wonderful people!

Ashley visited a bed and breakfast for the first time about ten years ago in Charlottesville, VA. She fell in love with idea of the B&B niche and made it a life long goal to own a B&B. As a step toward this goal, Ashley attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona and graduated with a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management. Ashley worked at a small resort as an Intern and worked at the Marriott Residence Inn while attending college. She also met Matt in the same program and when they weren’t studying, they were traveling. After graduation in December 2001, Ashley worked for a concessionary in Grand Teton National Park and then in the finance department of a technology company for several years. She is so happy to be living her dream!

Matt also graduated from Northern Arizona University in December 2001 magna cum laude with a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management. In addition to working at the University Inn during college, he has worked at some of the finest resorts including the Arizona Biltmore and the Westin Kierland in Phoenix. His resume includes working in the travel department for American Express and as a housekeeping supervisor for a small hotel. He loves giving guests the best service anywhere and spending time with his lovely daughter.

The two were married in October 2004 and in August 2006 their daughter Sarah was born. Sarah has truly changed everyone’s life. The dream of owning a B&B became more and more real with the thought of being home to raise Sarah and living in a picturesque small town.

Shirley is Ashley’s mother and in addition to helping with the baby, being an Innkeeper and helping with breakfast, Shirley has a strong financial background and has provided business consulting to corporations as well as small establishments. Shirley continues her real estate background as a Real Estate broker in the Sandhills area and recently joined The B & B and Country Inn Marketplace to cover the rapidly expanding Inn businesses in eastern NC. Shirley has traveled extensively and truly understands the old adage “there’s no place like home”. She is very happy to be able to spend so much time with her family.

“We purchased the Inn to share our passion for hospitality, be closer to family, live in a great area and raise a family. This is truly a family owned and run business and we look forward to serving you.”

After searching for over 2 years the Inn at the Bryant House had everything the owners could ask for and they are honored to call the Inn at the Bryant House home.

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Published on Saturday, May 23, 2009

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Starkey enjoys slower pace of life as inn owner

A recent article in the Fayetville Observer.

As a systems consultant for a large technology firm, Shirley Starkey traveled the globe, including trips to Asia several times a year.

Now Starkey enjoys a much slower pace running the Inn at the Bryant House bed and breakfast on Poplar Street in Aberdeen.

“We were just looking for a place where there was a better quality of life, nicer people,” said Starkey, 64, who grew up in Virginia and moved to Aberdeen from Phoenix.

Starkey runs the inn with her daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Matt Baker. The house, which dates to about 1900, has 10 rooms, including two in a carriage house on the grounds.

The owners immediately got involved with the community. Starkey revived a local business bureau, which she said now has about 20 members.

They also started staging events at the bed and breakfast. Some of the most popular are the murder mysteries, in which guests portray characters and try to figure out who committed a fictional murder.

Starkey said some participants really get into their portrayals.

“Actually, the quiet people are the best actors, because all of a sudden they become someone else,” she said.