Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Balloqui.
Hi Mary, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband and I came to visit a Victorian Bed and Breakfast recommended by a local friend – we came, we saw, we fell in love! We have not run a B&B previously, but seeing this unique property in Florida, complete with an English Tea Room incorporated, as I was born in London, it just had to be a sign! We opened in 2021, just after Covid restrictions were lifted, and have never looked back. We are now Innkeepers! The variety of guests who come to stay is fascinating and will never grow old. I am astonished how many single ladies we have staying, not realizing that it is much safer to be in a friendly Inn than in a hotel, where no one would miss you if you did not come down for breakfast. My husband and I are the Odd Couple – he is an Italian New Yorker, and I am a Brit through and through. When I host a monthly High Tea experience, I share a variety of stories from my childhood in London during the Swinging Sixties. As well as explaining the origins of certain sayings. What is the meaning behind “it’s raining cats and dogs”? I tell all.
The Inn is 130 years old, and the unique heart-shaped swimming pool, modeled after a pool owned by the film star Jayne Mansfield, is 76 years old. The giant live oak trees and established tropical grounds surround the estate, plus we overlook the wide Halifax Intercoastal river. We have it all and love to share it with our guests. Many are repeat visitors, which is another unexpected gift of operating a bed and breakfast. Our 40-seat dining room, named Polly’s Tea Room, is open for lunch every Wednesday by reservation. We serve a Low Tea Lunch, The Downton Abbey, which consists of finger sandwiches and fancy cakes. These Wednesday lunches have proven to be very popular, offering delicious treats, a view of the grounds, and the river. Our seven suites are individually decorated, blending the look of the 1940s and 1950s with modern-day amenities. Many have private balconies. We offer a full breakfast to our guests, which varies depending on whether you have the New Yorker or the Brit cooking! The only thing missing is you. Plan a staycation and let us pamper you.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As we opened after Covid, the Inn had been closed for 2 years. It took us a while to get the word out. Many of the repeat guests that we expected to return did not know that we had purchased the Inn. The previous owner had changed the booking program that she had used for 12 years and had deleted the customer base. We had anticipated inheriting it to help us launch our ownership. Initially, we were hindered by regulations on food handling, etc., but thankfully, these disappeared after our first three months. There was a lot to learn regarding new software programs, but both my husband and I enjoy a challenge. Once the public felt comfortable traveling, 2022 was a good year for us, and we have received lots of referrals and have regular repeat guests who visit local family a couple of times a year.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always enjoyed making connections with people, whether they are coworkers, business associates, employees, or customers.
My accent sets me apart from others. Over the years, it has been an asset, as people remember my accent more quickly than they can remember my name.
I am currently involved in a group that helps younger, less experienced women climb the ladder to success. I am actively engaged in our city by supporting and recruiting others to join groups/museums/galleries and get involved. I was voted Alignables 2025 Business Person of the Year for Holly Hill.
I seem to have a knack for bringing the right people together.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Holly Hill is a tale of 2 cities. There is a significant divide between the families who live near the river and the mom-and-pop industrial side of town. We are unique in that we are only 4 square miles, with nowhere to expand, as we are bordered by the Halifax River to the west, Daytona to the south, and Ormond to the north.
What bothers me about Holly Hill is its negative reputation from the past. Our main road was the highway from North to South, and multiple small motels were along it. These are slowly being updated, but I believe this image does not uplift the city.
Pricing:
- $220 per night upwards for bed and breakfast
- Wednesday lunches start at $19.99
- Monthly High Tea Experience is $46.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riverlilyinn.com
- Facebook: river lily inn / and Polly’s Tea Room at The River Lily Inn
