So Ya…..I Baught an Inn……There’s History……Read on…
Welcome to my home …. I’m Mercedes (Benzi Henrich) Ross, Proprietor and chief “Universe Churner”
The Jamaicahaus previously (Jamaica House/Inn) has had many identities over the 208 years it’s been here in the center of Jamaica Vermont. It provided rest for weary travelers as a hotel…I remember it as a ruckus awesome Bar… (if walls could talk) a restaurant and in the last years a bed and breakfast.
As my home, I will share the main house with guests who are likely ski enthusiast, cyclists, artists, nature lovers and happy humans.
Guests have their own suites and access to the whole 8000 sq foot Inn. There is a total of 4 Suites on the property for a maximum of 11 guests. Shared spaces are solely for guest use. (Though myself and your co-hosts Madeline and Vera, do reside on the property our room and apartment are separate from those areas, there is a dog and two cats on the property in the host residence).
Now an Austrian-Bohemian eclectic unique space with spots to work on your toys (bikes and skis) and a starting point for many adventures. The idea is to have shared spaces when you want to join the fun and private roomy suites when you want to hide away. Community always being a priority ……comradery is encouraged …… (a beer always tastes better with others) and most importantly …..the shared spaces are both cozy and roomy.
My family and I have a long History in the area. My parents Emo and Ann Henrich (immigrants from Austria / Germany) helped build up Stratton.
My Dad was the director and founder of the Stratton Ski School and together they ran the best little inn at the base of the mountain called the Birkenhaus. The Jamaicahaus has touches of that history, and generations later we are still a family run business.
I live here, so don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need. Madeline and Vera, your co-hosts, also live on the property. You’ll find them shoveling snow or making sure you have all you need. My sister Tini bakes up a storm across the street and frequently comes bearing baked yummies. Ann, my mom stops by often (only in spirit, sadly she has passed) she had such great stories about how Stratton was built up. (Both my parents have passed, but can be felt and seen through out the house which is full of pictures and rich with History).
We can’t wait to have you join us for fun events (music nights- Warren Miller movie nights – fasching…an Austrian tradition) based at the house during the year. I’m sure we will gather for an amazing home cooked meal.
Every once in a while, we get in the kitchen for some Austrian “gemutlichkeit” and you are welcome to join us- in this one-of-a-kind spot, we call home.
A little about me……… ……….…….YADAYADA
I was raised in Vermont by Austrian immigrants at the base of Stratton Mountain. (I know how lucky am I) Grew up ski racing and as I’m told …. causing havoc in the area. A gnarley, relentless, visionary, I am proudly the executive director of a non-profit – *Project Bike Tech (disrupting the education system nationwide with much needed experiential learning experiences for students).
Prior to that I was a “ferocious entrepreneur” and a leading Merchandising force in the bicycle industry, pioneering the Concept Shop platform in the early 90’s, becoming a known expert in the field over the 28 years I was in the business. Recently being voted as one of the top 50 Influential Business Women in the bike industry. I have also worked in many other industries, Ski, Outdoor, Motorcycle, Scuba, Craft Brewing as well as owned my own Motorcycle shop for 15 years. The gift of gab …. I lead sales team training seminars as well as been a lead speaker in both the Bicycle and Motorcycle industries at their national trade shows. Given seminars internationally and speak fluent German. I am a published column writer for industry magazines and have been involved in 50+ educational video segments for the Bicycle industry. Recently speaking for Vail Ted-X about “How the bicycle can save the world” … it can right!!!!
More importantly when I’m not doing all that work stuff, I ski every day when I can - come rip some turns or skin up the mt with me. Summer finds me riding my road bike where ever it takes me or paddleboarding and hiking. I Love discussing the Universe and how it affects us ( Yes I believe in Aliens) and paint pastels when I slow down.
* Project Bike Tech (PBT) is an accredited 2-year high school curriculum that results in certification of bicycle technicians for the outdoor industry. Our bicycle technology, engineering and business classes are a one-of-a-kind program that offers high school students the experiential learning opportunity to follow a career in the outdoor industry, which supports 7.2 million jobs in the United States
