PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL
HOMETOWN TRADITIONS PASSED ON New owners bring fresh insights while maintaining longtime legacies. BY TALLITHA REESE | CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Cyndi and Scott Leckey are carrying on a 20-plus-year tradition, and adding a few touches of their own, at Westby House Inn & Restaurant.
C
ommunities thrive on a combination of continuity and ingenuity, and that combination is keeping three local businesses strong as new owners infuse their own style into established community favorites. WESTBY HOUSE INN & RESTAURANT, CYNDI & SCOTT LECKEY The Westby House Inn & Restaurant was owned and operated by Mike and Marie Cimino from 1998 up until 2020, when Cyndi and Scott Leckey visited the bed-and-breakfast in July for an escape during the pandemic and fell in love. When the Leckeys learned that the business was for sale, they ended up spending part of the weekend in a real estate office. They officially purchased the business December 10, 2020, and arranged a 90-day transition period during which the Ciminos provided insight and advice. “This was a godsend, and they were so very helpful,” says Cyndi. “This gave me the chance to familiarize myself with the operations and Mike and Marie the chance to pack up a 23-year life to move.” The Leckeys continue to stay in contact with the Ciminos “to share insights and learning, and sometimes a little counseling,” notes Cyndi. Though the Leckeys admit it’s been a wild ride since taking over an already established business, they say it’s all been worth it. The
La Crosse’s Painted Porch boutique’s new owner, Hannah Vanderhorst, appreciates the mentorship she has received from founder Peggy Rodriguez.
community of Westby has been friendly and accommodating. “Overall, it has been going well,” says Cyndi. “We have made some mistakes, had a lot of laughs, and have learned so much!” Though Cyndi is a personal trainer and nutritionist, she also has experience in hospitality as her parents owned bed-and-breakfasts where she used to spend summers working. “I discovered the joy in running a bed-and-breakfast, but this was only the tip of the iceberg as I would learn what was entailed when it actually came to owning one myself,” says Cyndi. The couple have also incorporated Scott’s background into the Westby House by offering evening dine-in pizza options for guests, opening to the community on Saturday nights. Scott was a hospital administrator for 30 years but grew up in California, where his first job was at a pizza joint. In addition to the pizza, the Leckeys eventually plan to develop a wine and cheese bar experience open to both their guests and the community. Even with plans for some new offerings, the Leckeys are dedicated to continuing what the Ciminos built: “A brand centered on good food and a guest-centered experience,” says Cyndi. PAINTED PORCH, HANNAH VANDERHORST Painted Porch in downtown La Crosse is a charming boutique
www.crwmagazine.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 15
