by Laura Ritsche
In the heart of St. Joseph lies a piece of nostalgic history with a touch of the modern. But that’s not all the Estates Bed & Breakfast has to offer. Owner Tammy Cowan, originally from south Minneapolis, exemplifies that smalltown feel from the moment you pull up to the moment you leave.
Built in 1909, the bed and breakfast’s primary use had been as a rental home for the local college students of St. John’s and St. Ben’s. It’s had some updates throughout the year’s and today stands as St. Joseph’s only B & B. A place that Cowan is proud to call her own.
Cowan hasn’t always been a B & B owner. Her first career was working as an investment banker. In search of a new path due to layoffs, Cowan found herself working as a live-in caretaker at the Estates, a place she had stayed at many times before.
As a rugby coach for the St. John’s team, Cowan found herself spending many nights at the Estates while she still lived in Minneapolis.
Cowan said, “I stayed at the bed and breakfast often during the years I was coaching and became good friends with the owners at the time.”
When the layoff from her banking position happened, she called up Cory and Jules Ehlert, the previous owners, and asked if they were serious about hiring a live-in caretaker. And indeed, they were.
It was never really a dream for the Ehlert’s to own a B & B, they just knew St. Joseph had to have one. So, in 2020, after a year off, Cowan started working as the live-in caretaker, the next logical step was to pass the ownership on to her.
Since December of that year, Cowan has been running the Estates on her own. From investment banker to small business owner, she now gets to spend her time pampering her guests.
One of the things Cowan likes best about this area is that small-town feel. Everything is in walking distance and it’s easy to get to know your neighbors here.
When asked if this was what she had dreamt for her life she said, “I didn’t think this would have been the trajectory, but it all just went together so well, like it was meant to be.”
Whether you’re visiting as an alumni, or simply coming for a weekend stay, the Estates Bed & Breakfast is sure to accommodate. And you will always feel right at home as Cowan loves welcoming guests from all over.
You can rent one room at a time or the entire house as a whole.
Cowan states, “Hosting big groups for parties, weddings, reunions, rehearsal dinners are always fun!”
The suites have a unique touch to each of them with their very own name that ties a piece of St. Joseph history into each one. The rooms have names such as the Jonnie Suite, Bennie Suite and the Minnesota Suite. Just a little piece of nostalgia for those who are in the know.
When Cowan isn’t cleaning and preparing for guests to come, she enjoys biking, traveling and of course, coaching rugby.
“Life is good,” Cowan said, “no complaints.”
In our busy world today, we don’t often get a moment to stop and simply enjoy the small-town charm that St. Joseph has to offer. Next time you’re in the area keep your eye out for the Estates Bed & Breakfast, even just to say hi to Cowan and her dog Georgie. You may find your day is a bit brighter.
This photo of the Estates Bed and Breakfast was taken Feb. 28, 2020.
This photo was taken before the renovation of Estates Bed and Breakfast.
Tammy Cowan, of St. Joseph, reads in a place of gathering Feb. 28 at her bed and breakfast.
