Two New Guest Houses Planned for South Main

Less than a year after Matt and Audrey Gorski opened The Old Town Guesthouse in St. Charles, the couple has had guests from 28 states, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. 

"It's going great," said Audrey Gorski. 

So well, in fact, that the pair hope to open two other vacation rentals in historic St. Charles this spring. 

The couple, who live in Old Monroe, bought the property at 420-422 South Main Street, two small brick buildings with green shutters facing Main Street, and another brick building that faces South Riverside Drive. 

They plan to sell the building at 420 South Main Street and convert the other two buildings into guest houses. 

The properties previously were owned by Bernadine Wesling, who ran an antique shop there more than 15 years ago. In the fall the Gorskis held an auction to clear out the property. 

Audrey Gorski said they have ended up gutting the interior of both buildings and will completely redo them. On Tuesday, they got approval from the Landmarks Board to paint the outside of the property and install new signs. 

"We're completely redoing them in the older style," she said. "We're going to keep it kind of period."

It's still unclear how many people could sleep in each guest house, however, both would have a kitchen, bedroom space and seating. 

Audrey Gorski said they saw a need for this type of vacation rental in St. Charles. 

"Hotels are just hard for people with families," she said. "Same with Bed and Breakfasts. It has it's own place but you can't bring children. So there was kind of a need and people seem to appreciate it." 

Both new vacation rentals - the Main Street Guesthouse and Riverfront Guesthouse - would have to receive approval from both Planning and Zoning Commission and St. Charles City Council. 

But Audrey Gorski said she hopes to have both open by May and the start of the summer travel season. 

"It's been fun talking to people who are from out of town," she said, adding that many are delighted to discover downtown St. Charles.