04/19/2021
Short story of how the Heller House became a B&B
“Why Here, Why Now”
“Well, I was born and raised in Kingstree, SC and has been my home for pretty much most of my life. So when we were looking for a house, I had no idea that one day it would become the first and only Bed and Breakfast in our town.”
“The story of the Heller House is definitely a unique one. She is on the National Registry of Historic places as being built in 1845, but there is documentation that she could be as old as 1809. We bought her in 2010 and began to bring her back to life. She hadn’t been lived in for a few years and she needed some attention. I honestly don’t think we chose her, I think she chose us. When I would drive by, which was almost daily, I could feel her drawing me. I know that sounds strange, but anyone with a historic house understands that they truly are living beings with so much personality and character.
“In 2017, I left my job of 25 years with the family business and began the adventure of giving this beautiful piece of history back to the community. The Town of Kingstree is a place full of history and beauty; so much of it we overlook. There isn’t a week that goes by that someone ask me about the Heller House and I LOVE to share her story.”
“When my husband Darren became Mayor in 2015, it was obvious that our town needed life brought back to it. And how I could do my part and contribute was to give myself and my time to the town not only through our Main Street program but actually giving the community something that could be shared with outsiders. This house gives me an opportunity to share the history of our town and the history of this house; which are both my passion.”
Opening a Bed and Breakfast in 2017 was the perfect time and was just what the town needed. The Heller House is a perfect representation of what the town of Kingstree represents. History, Grace and Beauty.