When is your job your joy?
And when is your joy your job?
Those questions are answered in the affirmative pretty much every day for Dennis Spotts, co-owner of the Inn at Centre Park.
Along with Jeff Rollins, his partner personally and professionally, Spotts has owned this iconic Reading building, originally known as the Wilhelm Mansion, for nearly five years. Together, they have freshened the décor and refined the business model of the property, making it an ever more important landmark for the historic district in which it’s located and an increasingly popular destination for special events and overnight guests.
There may be native Berks Countians who might qualify Spotts as an out-of-towner. After all, he’s only been here for three decades. But he considers both his family’s rural Northumberland County farm and his adopted Reading home base. And there’s good reason: he’s a man whose whole career has centered on hospitality and making people feel right at home.
It all started when he took a job at a diner in his native Herndon at the age of 18.
“I got into that [job] as a fluke,” he recalls, “and, to my surprise, it fit.”
A Place to Stay
He came to Reading for personal reasons and stayed, working first at the former Kansas City Steakhouse when the building at Fifth and Washington was known as the Lincoln Plaza and Conference Center. As that historic structure morphed back to its identity as the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Spotts moved up the corporate ladder to the position of assistant general manager.
The lure of Reading’s rich architectural history moved him to purchase a townhouse in the 500 block of Centre Avenue, just two blocks south of the inn.
Spotts came to know the late Andrea Smith, an owner of the inn in the late 1980s into the 1990s, and learned much of the building’s history – and the details of the initial remodel/renovation she did — from her. It was during Smith’s ownership that most of the latter-day interior partitions — especially those that had carved the spacious first floor into a doctor’s office, examination rooms, a small jewelry shop, and an apartment — were removed.
Adrienne Periandi purchased the inn in 1997. Under her dedicated ownership and personal warmth, it truly became a Centre Park Historic District community hub, the go-to place not just for bed-and-breakfast guests and special events, but also for community meetings and fundraisers, like the popular semi-annual spaghetti dinners for the neighborhood crime watch.
When Periandi decided it was time to sell, Spotts and Rollins, who had befriended her, were interested. However, the initial asking price was a deterrent. Spotts, who also had worked for her as a server during Periandi’s traditional Valentine’s Day dinners, knew the establishment well.
As the asking price dropped, Periandi reached out to them.
“She just loves this building,” he says, “and she was so worried someone would buy it and strip it [of its architectural features].”
Periandi, who went from being the building owner to a renter of one of the remaining apartments on the property, needs to worry no more.
Refreshing the Past
The 1877 Gothic-revival structure is looking better than ever. Following settlement in December 2013, Spotts and Rollins got right to work. They removed the one remaining partition that divided the drawing room, eclipsing the beauty of an ornate archway.
The men also freshened up the entire place, from refinishing the original wood floors to updating the commercial kitchen, repainting the interior with detailing to highlight the unique architectural details (Rollins selected the colors), restoring the light and airy “Wedgewood Room” and re-installing stained-glass windows that had long been stored in the basement.
It took time and hard work. The realization of that hit Spotts immediately upon signing those settlement papers.
“I thought: ‘Holy crap,’” he says. “What did we get ourselves into?”
What Spotts and Rollins got themselves into and recreated was – and is – one of Reading’s signature structures.
Open for Business
By late June 2014, the men opened the inn, its gardens, and the carriage house (the property sits on .63 acre in the 700 block of Centre Avenue) for the popular annual Centre Park Historic District Garden Tour. That event provided the first public look into their stunning renovation.
The first private event occurred in July, and the inn has been a hub of activity since.
Three beautiful and spacious suites on the second floor serve as additional testimony to the history of the inn’s namesake family – the Wilhelms.
Though they were not the original occupants (that appears to be Bishop Mark Anthony DeWolfe Howe, first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, which he ran from Christ Church at Fifth and Court streets, and his family), it was the Wilhelms that lived there the longest (1886 to 1936).
Aaron Wilhelm, president of the former National Nut, Bolt and Rivet Works and owner of the Aaron Wilhelm Paint Co. (a precursor of the Glidden Paint Co.), bought the place but died before spring 1889. It was his son Charles who made the biggest mark on it.
“He did the renovations in a high Victorian style,” Spotts says.
With the professional architectural and design guidance of the Muhlenberg Brothers firm and the work of skilled craftsmen of the day, Charles made the interior changes now most associated with the inn, from the detailed, carved woodwork to the elaborate plaster work – most notably the dancing cherubs that dominate the ceiling line in what is known as the music room.
Spotts pointed out that while some of the cherubs or angels are hand carved, others were created out of molds.
“If you look closely, you can see the repeat pattern,” he says.
Sweet Suites
Each of the three suites has its own distinct personality. While honoring the inn’s history, all include amenities and conveniences guests expect in the highest-end hotels – flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi, coffee makers, mini-fridges, and luxurious personal care items.
Sarah’s Suite is named after Charles’ wife. Guests enter a sitting room (with an extra pull-out bed) and immediately take in a columned, stained-glass archway of pastel blossoms interspersed with a spider web, which frames the bedroom. Soft tones prevail. The bedroom leads to an amazing bath with an original claw-foot tub, a panel of stained-glass windows, and – amazingly – a private, southern-facing copper balcony.
The Wilhelm Suite, which had served as Charles’ private study and room, is, itself, a study in rich chestnut woodwork and features a huge red marble fireplace and leaded-glass doors. There’s a six-foot original claw-foot tub, marble sink, and separate shower in the large bath, which, like Sarah’s, has distinctive 19th century tiling, woodwork, and stained-glass windows.
For guests who enjoy a “rain shower,” the Parkview Suite (appropriately named, as its windows face beautiful Centre Park) offers a special treat – its bath boasts the first shower installed in Reading. With a king-sized bed and enviable woodwork, the suite is a bit simpler than the others but every bit as comfortable.
Spotts says the B&B business has “really taken off since last fall.” October seems to be the peak month, as guests take in the changing colorful country foliage. He credits the “power of the Internet” and social media with a steady number of bookings. Large-scale events at the Santander Arena and the Santander Performing Arts Center also keep the rooms full when the downtown DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading is booked. Spotts also gives kudos to TJ Sophy, manager of the historic Stirling Guest Hotel just a few blocks to the north, for directing patrons to the inn when Stirling reaches capacity.
Every guest enjoys a special breakfast whipped up by Spotts, who is also an experienced chef.
“I love the time with my overnight guests and the great conversations,” he says. “But I sometimes wonder if they realize all that goes into this.” That, he says, includes everything from cleaning to cooking to grounds maintenance to the business aspect, including three apartments (one in the main house and two in the detached carriage house to the rear, which also includes garage space).
In-House Gourmet Treats
In addition to cooking for guests and for many of the more than 50 events held there each year, Spotts has also created a one-Friday-night-a-month gourmet dinner. For a fixed price, guests enjoy a multi-course meal featuring such unique fare as asparagus and pea ravioli with lemon beurre blanc, watercress salad with grapes and almonds, and grilled swordfish with lemon caper basil butter.
There is a different menu each month, posted in advance. So popular have these dinners become that the 48 seats are often sold out weeks in advance.
“I so enjoy doing these dinners,” he says. “I love the experience of dinners and food. I take a lot of time to create menus that work. I grew up on a farm, and I believe everything should be fresh. The dinners are mostly created from scratch, and I’m all about using seasonal produce.”
Hand-in-hand with the quality of food is the level of hospitality guests can expect when attending events or staying at the inn. His years in hospitality have made Spotts a stickler when it comes to quality and caring service.
“[Good] service trickles down from the top,” Spotts says. While there are no other full-time employees, he has been lucky to engage several hospitality/service pros whose work reflects his personal philosophy and style.
“People do reflect their leader, and I try my best to set a good example,” he adds.
Spotts says the most popular events at the Inn include bridal showers and weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, anniversary and other special dinners, and receptions.
Over the years, the inn has hosted some famous folk. Regis Philbin was an overnight guest during Periandi’s tenure. Businesswoman Ivana Trump, a featured speaker at the former Junior League Town Hall series, also enjoyed in the inn in the aftermath of her split from the future U.S. president.
Good Neighbors
And while it’s nice to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, Spotts takes the most joy in those folks who live close by.
“The neighborhood is so supportive,” he says. “People love to enjoy a glass of wine on the porch. Sometimes I almost wish I could be one of them and just relax and enjoy.”
John Slifko, the vice president of Reading City Council, lives just a couple of blocks north of the inn, is a frequent patron of the dinners, and has been on hand for many special events.
“It is a great and welcoming gathering place,” he says. “We all love the architecture and ambiance of it…we all love it as a place to eat dinner and for entertainment and socializing. We are very fortunate to have the inn as a vital part of the neighborhood.”
Spotts’ wistful expressions are few and far between. It’s clear he adores the inn and takes pride in his work there.
“It’s so rewarding seeing people’s faces when they see this building – there’s no real need for additional decorations,” he says. “It’s a ‘wow’ all on its own.”
His advice for would-be innkeepers?
“Make sure you love it and understand what is involved. There is always something to do.”
Contatct info:
The Inn at Centre Park
730 Centre Avenue, Reading
610.374.8557
