Special to the Aroostook Republican
CARIBOU – What seems like a one-woman show is actually much more than ever expected at Russell’s Motel, so an open house is planned for September 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. to celebrate Donna Murchison’s tenth anniversary of owning the motel.
Aroostook Republican photo/Brian Albert
Pictured in the top photo is Russell’s Motel in days gone by, as it had been seen from a 1960s postcard photo. In the bottom photo this is how travelers see Russell’s Motel today at its 357 South Main Street location. The motel was established circa 1965 by Emil and Virginia Russell. Current owner Donna Murchison will be celebrating her tenth anniversary of ownership with an open house, Saturday, Sept. 13 at the motel from 1 to 4 p.m.
Even though the open house is planned to show the new features of the motel, Murchison feels it is a small way to say thanks to the guy who does the plowing, the plumber, the handy-man, Leo’s, the people who have been with her every step of the way. Also she feels that local people have a curiosity about how the motel has been changing. People often drive by and they try to look and see what’s going on at the motel.
Murchison stated, “It’s changed in little itty bitty steps, and people have watched that.” She continued, “The people that stay here know what the changes are but local people don’t.” So the open house will have an open room for visitors to view, because almost everything has changed in the past ten years including: carpets, furniture, beds, mattresses, lighting and refinished bathrooms.
Murchison also wants to show off the landscaped grounds especially the newly cleared back lawns with flower beds, basketball hoop, and a pleasant environment in which motel guests play Frisbee or just go to relax.
Russell’s Motel was established around 1965, by Emil and Virginia Russell, who built the motel on what was originally U.S. Route 1, for high volume access. The Russells later owned and operated the Stardust Motel in Houlton for several years.
Ever since the construction of Caribou’s bypass, heavy traffic and noise moved away and left the now peaceful little motel conveniently located at 357 South Main Street in Caribou. More recently constructed snowmobile trails allows easy access to ITS 83A.
Today this local small business employs the owner, two part-time housekeepers and a part-time handy-man and this past year alone has received visitors from all across the country including: Hawaii, Alaska, California and foreign guests from as far away as Germany, Switzerland, France, and Sweden.
“It’s pretty amazing!” Murchison continued, “When I bought the motel, I never had a clue, that so many people traveled this far north.” Donna accredits many of her far-from-home visitors to the Weather Channel and the weather station located in Caribou.
The motel attracts a broad base of returning customers including snow sledders, hunters, construction workers, business people, service technicians and especially families that are the staple of this local business. Over the past ten years the occupancy rate has steadily increased, with the exception of the months post 9-11. Murchison stated that her business remains steady and firm even with recent high transportation costs.
Russell’s Motel has all the regular accommodations including: clean comfortable rooms, air conditioning and cable TV. Plus amenities such as a faxing service, microwave ovens, coffee makers, refrigerators and wireless internet access that add to the convenience of any guests stay. Homemade quilts by Donna’s mom and paintings and artwork by family members also make visitors feel right at home.
Murchison accommodates the needs of her longtime customers by still allowing smoking in a few rooms, by providing her regular construction workers with a gas grill and picnic table, and also by accommodations for a pet-friendly environment for two- and four-legged visitors.
“Everybody has a favorite room,” Donna explained. So she has to act as the database for the returning visitor knowing: which is their favorite room, who is regularly in their party as well as when they usually visit.
Murchison corresponds regularly with some of her customers, sending and receiving Christmas cards. Some even call to keep their northern Maine friend informed about the goings-on in their daily lives and asking how her family is getting along.
“The repeat people are like extended family now,” said Murchison. “Because, like the people who are coming to the open house, they’ve been coming ever since I opened. So, when they come, I know their grandchildren, and I know what the dog is called.”
Russell’s Motel is expecting people from all over the United States for the open house, many of its long-standing customers have been invited. Donna also hopes many not so distant travelers will come and see what all the fuss is all about.
For more information about Russell’s Motel, please visit the Russell’s Motel website at www.connectmaine.com/russells. Accommodations by phone, (207) 498-2567 and long-standing customers can e-mail, russellsmotel@maine.rr.com.
Aroostook Republican photo/Brian Albert
Pictured is one of the rooms at Russell’s Motel with cozy touches such as a home-made quilt and local artwork.