If he builds it, will they come?
For Eric Jurisin of the Haunted Group, the answer is “maybe” as he prepares for the grand opening of the Tavern Hotel expansion in Old Town Cottonwood.
A ribbon-cutting event with Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski will take place Thursday, March 1 with an open house of the hotel from 4 to 6 p.m. The hotel, which originally had 13 rooms, has increased in capacity and now encompasses 41 guest rooms and two penthouses.
One penthouse is located above the Tavern Grille, the other above Pizzeria Bocce. Jurisin said he thanks Cottonwood-based Backus Building Co. for its professionalism and craftsmanship.
“I hope the hotel is an asset to Old Town and will help to fill a void,” he said.
The hotel will also include 24-hour front desk service, making it easier for guests to check in whenever they like. The hotel has been quietly open since December, and Jurisin said rooms have already been booked three to four weeks in advance.
“So far the response has been positive,” he said. “This is a great spot for staycations.”
With the recent renaissance happening in Old Town, Jurisin said he hopes the expansion of the hotel will add to it.
“Every cool city has a downtown,” he said. “I think Old Town is very important to the growth of Cottonwood … it makes people want to move here.”
An avid supporter of the Cottonwood wine industry, Jurisin said he hopes that the hotel will attract people looking for an experience.
“When my mom went on vacation, she used to bring us back a souvenir,” he said. “It’s different now. People aren’t looking for souvenirs, they want experiences.”
Jurisin and his family opened the Haunted Hamburger in Jerome in 1994. Since then, they have opened multiple restaurants around Jerome and Old Town Cottonwood, including Grapes, Nic’s Italian Steak and Crab House, Pizzeria Bocce, the Tavern Grille and Crema Craft Kitchen.
Jurisin said the people he employs at his businesses are like family to him.
“When you work side-by-side with someone for so long, they become family,” he said.
Despite his business’ influence on the community, Jurisin recoils at the idea of characterizing them as anything grandeur.
“I’m just a guy who sells hamburgers,” he said.
Kelcie Grega can be reached at 634-8551, or email kgrega@larsonnewspapers.com
