SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The owner of the Bavarian Inn notes, like many hotels, it has been a difficult time for the Shepherdstown lodge because of the coronavirus.
Christian Asam said on Monday’s MetroNews “Talkline” the pandemic came at a time where the inn was doing well; the resort opened a brewery and it had been a growing period for Jefferson County.
“We had our busiest first quarter ever, then the coronavirus comes and slams the brakes on all of it,” he said.
Asam said the inn has been closed during the pandemic. Around 110 employees have been furloughed to allow them to seek unemployment benefits.
Asam did note the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a Paycheck Protection Program loan for the inn. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act includes around $350 billion for providing small business relief.
“That’s an absolute relief. We can start paying some bills,” Asam said. “We have several employees who have been frustrated with the unemployment process … some of those employees who are really scared right now, we’re going to try to pay them to be home or, if some of them are comfortable coming in and social distancing, painting hotel rooms.”
On the future of tourism, Asam said he is not sure how the rebound will happen, but West Virginia resorts are in a great position to recover because of the state’s location.
“It is the great outdoors. This is kind of a natural for social distancing. You can be on our 11-acre property and not really be close to people,” he said. “I think West Virginia and Jefferson County as a whole have a unique opportunity as opposed to some major city markets. I think we’re much better off than New York (City) or New Orleans are as far as drawing tourists back quickly.”
Asam said Monday morning the loan likely went into the Bavarian Inn’s account that day.