Visit Garnett’s Monroe 816 and The Kirk House for a Self Care Weekend Away

Sometimes you need a break from the daily grind and want a weekend away to replenish yourself. A visit to Monroe 816, a home styling boutique, and a stay at The Kirk House Bed and Breakfast, a refurbished turn-of-the-century mansion with all the modern conveniences, might be the self care you need.

Both businesses are an hour from Kansas City in Garnett, Kansas, a great destination for a weekend getaway or even a day trip. Val Foltz and Eileen Burns, owners of Monroe 816 and The Kirk House respectively, invite you to book a wellness weekend away for “an experience that lets you take a step back and slow down.”

Garnett Getaway
“We want to show visitors what a great place Garnett is and how much it has to offer,” said Val. She and Eileen are proud of their small town that is growing and thriving thanks in part to the Garnett Downtown Revitalization Committee and Love What’s Local, of which both women are a part. “New businesses are popping up on the beautiful downtown square,” Val said, and there are plenty of long-standing attractions as well. Garnett has a great variety of opportunities from indulging in retail therapy and a good meal to biking the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail or attending the annual Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. Year-round events include concerts and live dinner theater, and don’t forget a visit to the county museum, courthouse and other historic sites. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor recreation, shopping and dining or attending a local event, Garnett has a great assortment of activities to entertain you and your family or friends.

The Kirk House: More Than an Overnight Stay
The Kirk House was designed by the famous architect George Washburn and built in 1913. The 22-room mansion highlights historic features such as the dining room’s original hand-painted murals, while providing modern-day comforts. “When guests come to The Kirk House, we want them to feel like it is more than just an overnight stay. It is a full experience of making memories while being immersed in some of the most amazing architectural and small-town history Kansas has to offer,” Eileen said. You can reserve one or more of the seven bedroom suites or rent the entire house for family vacations and reunions, wedding guests or other small party. Once you’ve visited The Kirk House, you’ll want to come back again and again. “Guests who return to The Kirk House say they love it even more every time they visit,” Eileen continued. “No two stays are the same and there’s always something new to discover and enjoy.”

In addition to the numerous indoor and outdoor spaces where you can find a moment of quiet, Eileen regularly updates the house to better accommodate her guests. “We have an ongoing plan of renovations including more en suite private bathrooms, options for additional overnight occupancy per room, and a family suite consisting of the entire third floor ballroom.”

Monroe 816: The Live Beautifully Experience
Walking into Monroe 816 is a feel-good treat for your senses. “Customers tend to come in and just stop for a few seconds and take a deep breath,” said Val. The scent of a nice candle burning along with the beautifully displayed furniture and decor makes you feel welcome and cozy. Val updates everything from the window display to the store layout every few weeks, so no visit to Monroe 816 is quite like another. Val is passionate about “helping her customers create spaces that are beautiful and inviting” while stocking the boutique with many locally made and sourced products. In addition to selling a variety of décor items and a selection of furniture, Val offers interior decorating assistance to customers who are trying to find the perfect item.

Making her customers happy by sharing the Live Beautifully Experience is what makes Val happy, and Monroe 816 is an extension of those good feelings. “It’s about being a light for someone,” she said. Stop by the boutique to see for yourself.

Arrive as Guests, Leave as Friends
“We want to make Garnett, Kansas, more than just a map dot,” said Val. “And we want guests to use the trip to find more balance in their lives,” Eileen added. These ladies hope that a visit to The Kirk House and Monroe 816, as well as stops at other Garnett establishments and locations, will be good for the soul. Both agree that the best experience in their individual professions is when a guest or customer becomes a friend over the course of their visit to Garnett. Eileen and Val love bringing friends together and know that a stay at the Kirk House and visit to Monroe 816 for you and your circle of friends is sure to be good for your mental wellness.

Visit thekirkhouse.net and monroe816.com for details.