Story by Mary Kay McPartlin | Photos by Nanci Heiney
BUILDING ON THE PAST
Parker Orr
WHEN MARTHA AND JASON MILLER PURCHASED THE A U G U S T C O M PA N Y BUILDING IN O C TO B E R O F 2 0 2 0 ,
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they got a building that was ready to be just what they wanted it to be. What Martha wanted was a space for their neighbor Michaela Holdridge’s business Anthro Apothecary, and to have accommodations for outof-town family when they came for visits. “This has all evolved and changed into something good,” Martha said. “Everything fell into place.” From the start, people in Tecumseh have been supportive of the Millers and the occupancy of a beloved downtown building. “People were just happy to see activity,” said Martha. The retail area had to be transformed from one storefront to two. “The building renovations took longer than we anticipated,” she said. Anthro Apothecary officially moved into the August Company Building and Suite in April. The second storefront is awaiting the perfect shop to take advantage of the space.
The Airbnb has welcomed guests since December 2020, not needing any work at all. Bookings for the August Company Building and Suite have been steady since the opening. Martha has welcomed guests from all over. It’s a perfect location for girls’ nights out and for wedding parties. While most people imagine an Airbnb as welcoming out of town guests, Martha is happy to see some of her guests live close by. “My heart goes out to locals,” she said. “They are able to use it, too.” The appeal for the venue is both beauty and function. Martha’s goal is to create a welcoming and comfortable space for travelers or local people looking for a quick getaway. She works hard to make sure everything is just right. “I want this to feel the homiest,” said Martha. “My goal isn’t to just do the bare minimum. I’m an all-in kind of person.” Appreciative that only minor tweaks were needed for the second-floor lodging, Martha enthusiastically shares with everyone the reason the space is so beautiful. The first-floor retail portion of the building was home to The August Company,
