Belva Lockwood Inn to open in New Year  

It was October of 2017 when Ike and Julie Lovelass first toured 249 Front St. in Owego, N.Y. By November, the purchase was finalized. Now known as the Belva Lockwood Inn and featured on the hit HGTV series, House Hunters, the luxurious inn is in the home stretch of its renovations and has seen an incredible transformation within the last year.

Jan. 1, 2019 marks the inn’s official opening. Hotel-style amenities will be offered, along with the booking of private parties and other events to accommodate up to 50 guests. 

Earlier this year when interviewed for a story in the Owego Pennysaver’s Progress Section, Julie commented, “When we first walked in, we felt an immediate connection.”

That connection continues to thrive as Julie and Ike, along with help from Ike’s father, Lester, and his son, Jim, numerous craftsmen, local artists and even several volunteers, put finishing touches on the inn. Lester, now 93, is credited with many projects, most notably the painstaking restoration of the 90-some shutters that grace each room.

Julie remarked that community volunteers have helped with various projects, too, and feels fortunate for their contributions. One volunteer, for example, brought soap stone fireplaces back to life while another individual spent more than 80 hours cleaning woodwork throughout the inn.

As guests walk through the main doors and into the front foyer, they will immediately notice beautifully revived floors, circa 1872, as well as original plaster molding that pops, showcasing an elegant shade of gold.

The goal of repurposing elements throughout the inn has resulted in some extraordinary work, such as salvaging oak paneling that now lines the kitchen wall from a church in the Ithaca area. Creativity has played a major part in the inn’s rejuvenation as well, like a grand piano that was crafted into a bar, and where the piano keys were used as the outside detailing of a one-of-a-kind wall mirror.      

From re-glazing an old claw foot tub that is now a center-piece in one of the guest bathrooms to building new bases for heavy antique sconces, and then adding new granite counters in the kitchen to installing exquisite lighting, there is a chic collection of old and new throughout all of the rooms.

Ike and Julie shared that their attic started to look more like a picker’s warehouse with all of their purchases over the past year, yet enjoyed the hunt for treasures. Visiting local businesses such as the Early Owego Antique Center, Bostwick’s Auctions and Mapes Auctioneers & Appraisers, among others, as well as trips out of the area, such as a stop in Scranton, Pa. for door knobs, each hand-picked piece tells its own little story. 

Surprises have highlighted the journey, too. Julie’s cousin, Wally, and his wife, Sharon, drove to Owego from Florida to deliver a rare mahogany table. The table, in Sharon’s family for decades, now complements Belva’s dining room.

Today, a portrait of Belva Lockwood rests above the mantle in the front parlor of the inn, a fitting tribute to an ambitious woman who more than 150 years ago embarked on a new career as principal of the then Owego Female Seminary.

The parlor, with added charm of a magnificently decorated Christmas tree by the Tioga Arts Council, features artistic hand-made and embroidered ornaments that put the spotlight on Belva Lockwood.

Ever since Julie and Ike realized the connection of 249 Front St. to Belva Lockwood, the #belikebelva movement began.

The journey behind restoring 249 Front St., according to Ike and Julie, was to share Belva Lockwood’s legacy. Lockwood became the first woman to practice before the Supreme Court, authored multiple articles about the suffragist movement, and then ran for President of the U.S. in 1884 and 1888. Mocked and ridiculed for her attempt, Lockwood still garnered notoriety. In fact, the community of Lockwood, N.Y. is named after her.

After each non-stop day is done, Ike and Julie are thankful for all of the encouragement and kind words received from friends, neighbors, and the Owego community. Now living at the inn and adjusting to their new surroundings, the couple’s Lake Street restaurant, The Owego Kitchen, is a short walk toward downtown.

Both Ike and Julie remarked, “We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community.” 

The inn features five individual rooms with queen-sized beds and private baths, one with a claw foot tub and the rest with showers. Each room has its own unique name, too, such as the Lovelass Room, and then the Gorman Room, named after Julie’s side of the family.  

As spring approaches, work will continue outside to complete a portion of the porch and add landscaping.  

For more information, Follow Belva Lockwood Inn on Facebook and Instagram. To inquire about reservations, call (607) 727-7974.  

Regarding a follow-up HGTV show, the couple encourages the public to contact producers about their interest at HGTV.com or via other social media.