My First Airbnb Was a Grain Bin
There wasn’t a decent hotel near Hoopeston, Illinois (pop. 5,140) so I turned to Airbnb.
And found this:
The Has Bin stands near a farmhouse where, decades ago, it was a working grain bin. It’s about 18 feet in diameter, so it’s perfect for a solo traveler (like me!) or a couple. It was just a 20-minute drive from Hoopeston (technically, it sits at the southern edge of Alvin, pop. 312), so I booked it immediately.
About four years ago, owner/host Mary Kay wanted to build a guesthouse for grandchildren and other family, but the project snowballed into its own enterprise. When I opened the door, I was greeted with homemade cookies on a vintage stove converted into a coffee bar and a cozy loveseat with a refinished trunk for a coffee table.
A journal on the coffee table revealed past visitors’ experiences, including a couple who got engaged there and nearby residents who made it their first getaway in years. I gather from the comments that Mary Kay made a point to decorate the space for Christmas.
A clawfoot tub had been converted into a shower, and wood from barn dating back to the 1800s had been reused, too, according to a local newspaper article. An old sewing machine stand served as a vanity, and old farming memorabilia was displayed throughout the space.
A microwave, small fridge and powder room offered modern creature comforts, and you looked up to see a loft adorned with wrought-iron-style railing. The bedframe is made from former porch posts.
The curved stairs up to the loft used to be bolted on the bin’s exterior. (As the bin’s welcome binder says, shoes are recommended on the stairs; rough-soled shoes are not recommended on the wood floors.)
The welcome binder also mentioned that a second-story porch was excellent for enjoying sunrises and sunsets. I scoffed at the provincial quaintness of building a porch specifically for this purpose … and then I saw the sunset.
There was a storm the night I stayed there. I loved listening to the sound of rain on the roof, and Mary Kay left homemade breads and pastries, along with orange juice and milk (in adorable milk bottle-style containers) for my breakfast.
I didn’t get a chance to meet Mary Kay during my stay, but I loved her attention to detail and her commitment to creating such a special getaway.
I traveled to Hoopeston for research for my first novel; perhaps I’ll return to The Has Bin as a writing retreat when I’m in the depths of composing. Its atmosphere is perfect for introspection.
