Bakers Plan BP Convenience Store Next to Woodville Motel

Although immersed in one large project, Steve and Cheryl Baker, owners of the Woodville Motel since January 31 of last year are set to jump into another large project.

Since purchasing the Woodville Motel, located on CTH B at the I-94 interchange, from Nylesh Purohit, the Bakers have remodeled the lobby area and are remodeling the motel's rooms one-by-one.

On November 30 last year the Bakers bought the former Mobile Station at the driveway entrance to the Woodville Motel and are set to build and operate a BP Convenience store on the site.

The present building of 1,600 square feet will be replaced with a much larger 3,200 square foot store. The Bakers will own and operate the store in affiliation with Bob and Steve's BP, which operates several other stores in this area. "It will be our store with their help," said Steve of
the affiliation.

The Bakers plan to break ground for the new store February 12 and be open for business on June 1. They said the excavator and contractor for the building project are lined up and ready to go.

The Bakers explained that they are transplants from Minnesota. Prior to purchasing the Woodville Motel Steve had worked in the cable industry, ending as the director of engineering for ComCast when the company was downsized.

Cheryl has an MBA in marketing management and has worked in the health care industry, which she continues to do through tele-commuting. She works for United Health Care Group out of Wausau, in pharmaceutical benefit management, or management of prescription drugs.

Since buying the motel Steve has completed the lobby remodeling and four bathrooms of the 16 unit motel. He will also be installing new carpeting and walls, but noted that all the units are usable at present.

"They are in very good condition now," said Cheryl. "We're just trying to upgrade."

Most units also have a microwave and small refrigerator and the motel offers free wireless internet and local and long distance telephone calls. Cheryl said the motel is "pet friendly."

Also planned is paving the parking lot this summer. Other future plans being discussed are a camp site on the seven acre parcel the Bakers own.

First Baby of 2008 Born at BAMC

Braelynn Rose Dawson was the first baby of 2008 born at Baldwin Area Medical Center. She was born Friday, January 4 at 1:13 p.m. with Dr. Russell Roloff attending. She weighed in at six pounds, 11.7 ounces and was 19-1/2 inches long. Braelynn is pictured above held by her mother, Amanda Dawson of Hammond, and Bonnie Berger representing the BAMC Auxiliary who presented her with a savings bond.