For Dana DePree, the historic Stevens Hotel in downtown Fennville isn’t just a building – it’s a backdrop to childhood memories spent at her family’s cottage on nearby Hutchins Lake. Built in 1910, the hotel was once a bustling hub for the community. However, after sitting vacant for several years, the iconic structure needed a new vision to match the region’s growing reputation as a destination for agritourism.

With a background in engineering and real estate, Dana, along with her sister Dori and their mother Deanna, formed 312 Main LLC to restore the property to its former glory. Their vision is the Wine Trail Inn: a boutique hotel featuring 11 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, a prohibition-style speakeasy and event space designed to anchor downtown Fennville’s revitalization.

While the DePree family had extensive experience in property management and restoration, the multi-million dollar hospitality venture required specialized insight. Through a connection with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Dana was introduced to the Michigan SBDC and began working with Business Consultants Jay Martinez and John Schmitt. The team helped assess the project’s feasibility and projections for long-term success, including comprehensive business plan reviews, deep dives into local demographics, and financial benchmarking to secure funding.

“Jay pulled market research on different sales aspects from a restaurant and hotel perspective,” Dana explained. “And John has run several successful restaurants, so he provided insight from his personal experience, reviewing our numbers and our planning.”

The collaboration paid out, as the DePrees successfully put together a significant capital package totalling over $4.5 million, including owner investment, a commercial loan, and a nearly $1 million Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) grant from the MEDC. The project also received support from the Fennville Downtown Development Authority.

Beyond the numbers, Dana emphasized the commitment required to bring such a vision to life. “Being an entrepreneur is a journey,” she said. “It certainly has a lot of benefits, but… to be successful, it still takes blood, sweat and tears.”

The Wine Trail Inn is targeting a grand opening in the summer of 2026, aiming to coincide with the building’s 116th anniversary and the start of the summer tourist season. Once open, the business is projected to create 15 new jobs and serve as a cornerstone for the community, complementing the new City Square Park development nearby.

“We want to make it fun and enjoyable,” Dana said. “We’d like to be an active part of the community and help see more progress in Fennville.”