Hometown comfort

By Ryan Sparks

Experience the Lofts

For many of us, the holidays mean time with family. The special memories so many of us cherish often occur when all the siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles are gathered around the table. If that’s the case with your family—and if you’ve got friends or relatives coming to Iola this holiday season—Experience the Lofts is a wonderful option for your guests. The location is ideal, the square is your playground, the amenities are first-class and it’s a way to make their visit to our community that much more special. Experience the Lofts has a proud history. When the Iola square was originally developed in the late 1800s, large masonry construction was used to accommodate a booming economy.

But as is the case with most small communities, over the last century or so, our population has declined. Furthermore, years ago the upstairs of many of these buildings were abandoned in a large part due to issues with ADA-compliance. With this abandonment, it meant the downstairs retailer would be responsible for the overhead of these monstrous buildings all on their own. The expenses of maintenance, insurance, taxes, and utilities created a financial strain on the downstairs businesses and ultimately made it difficult for businesses to survive on the square. The square became a difficult sell. That’s where Experience the Lofts comes in. Iola’s founders had a commitment to the town square as the cornerstone of our community, and we seek to further their vision. As such, they began rehabilitating the upstairs of these buildings in hopes of spreading out this financial burden among multiple units. This would in turn lower the overhead on the downstairs

The buildings around our square were designed to be beautiful, to draw citizens and travelers from afar. They were built to last for centuries. And they have.

businesses, while also helping with another need that this community is starving for: nice short-term lodging. Within a few short years, twelve high-end lofts have been built, gaining raving reviews from travelers with Iola as their destination. Also, the commercial space below the lofts are now 100% occupied by thriving businesses, in large part thanks to the reduced rent allowed by the upstairs once again generating revenue. We here at Experience the Lofts believe that with time and dedication, Iola's entire square can once again be the place where residents and tourists alike head to enjoy a good meal, some wonderful shopping and the best lodging in the area. Check us out online at experiencethelofts. com. Lofts are now available for any length of stay!

Amazing View • Modern Comforts • Historic Charm RESERVE YOUR STAY for the holidays!

Conveniently located on the Iola square. Just a short walk from the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, great retail shopping, fabulous restaurants, and amazing trails! (620) 365-1785 experiencethelofts.com