07/26/2026
We've been keeping a secret all year, but the time has come to share our news.
This will be our final year of welcoming guests to Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals, with our doors closing on November 1, 2026.
These thirteen years have truly been among the best of our lives. We never imagined that renovating a neglected old building in downtown Fayetteville would lead us to welcoming thousands of guests from around the world, introducing them to West Virginia, and watching them discover why we love this place so deeply.
When we purchased The Malcom Building, it was years before the New River Gorge became a national park. We simply believed this community and this historic building were worth investing in. Looking back, we couldn't have imagined what was ahead.
There are so many memories we'll carry with us. The engagements and anniversaries celebrated within these walls. The conversations sparked by our collection of West Virginia art and the pride we felt introducing visitors to the incredible talent found in these hills. But our favorite memories are the days spent wandering the forests together on New River Gorge Eco Tours, sharing the stories of the plants, animals, and fungi that make this little piece of Appalachia unlike anywhere else.
This place is special - ecologically, historically, recreationally and culturally - and it’s worth protecting.
It’s no exaggeration to say that tourism has transformed our lives. It gave us the opportunity to become full-time entrepreneurs (a pipedream before 2020) and build careers around the things we care about most—hospitality, art, and sharing the beauty of West Virginia with others. For that, we will always be grateful.
Caring for this historic building has been a privilege. We've poured our hearts into its restoration and stewardship, and we're proud to leave it in far better condition than we found it. Even more meaningful is knowing we're passing it to fellow West Virginians whom we know, trust, and admire.
Although this chapter is ending for us, our work in West Virginia isn't. If you've enjoyed the immersive experience we created at Lafayette Flats, we think you'll love our next foray. It’s rooted in the same values that guided us here: celebrating West Virginia's natural beauty, supporting local artists, and inspiring curiosity about the place we call home.
With love and gratitude,
Amy & Shawn
