Historic Collierville home gets a new community role as B&B, center of subdivision

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Alan Howell | MBJ

Hampton and Katie Parr in front of their 160-year-old family home in Collierville they are converting into a bed and breakfast.

Madeline Faber

Editorial Intern- Memphis Business Journal

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A 160-year old house is the newest addition to inventory of Collierville's commercial properties. A long-time family home is being converted into the town's only bed and breakfast, to be known as the Stratton House B&B. The property surrounding the B&B is being developed into 11 single-family homes to accommodate further generations of Collierville dwellers.

Hampton Parr, who owns the property, said his grandmother lived in the house until she was 103. Parr said he and his wife, Katie, would like to live in the colonial revival home, "but we're not ready for that yet."

"A bed and breakfast is an ideal use of the property. We can keep it in the family. The fact that Collierville doesn't have a bed and breakfast is more reason to do it, and the location can't be beat," Parr said.

The home at 198 Natchez St., just east of the Historic Town Square, was built by Hampton's ancestors, Dr. Asa Stratton and his wife Mary, in the 1850s. Parr said his great-great-great grandfather was one of the original aldermen of Collierville. Mary operated a schoolhouse on the property. The cornerstones of that building still stand.

The home will be converted into three bedrooms for rent and one bedroom for a full-time innkeeper. Renovations include removing aging wallpaper, extending out the back of the house to create a larger kitchen area and building an additional bathroom. These renovations will begin early next year at the latest.

Parr hopes the Stratton House B&B will be open by late Spring of 2015.

He plans to market the space as an event venue. The interior can hold 49 guests and the outside can accommodate 200. He adds, however, that large events — over 65 people — will be limited to three per month. Outdoor amplified music will only be allowed one day of the weekend. These limitations are self-imposed.