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January 24, 2024
MOUNTAIN — Inspired by their hobbies — snowmobiling and scrapbooking, respectively — Roger and Cheryl Lambert took a leap of faith last summer and opened Mountain Memories Retreat.
The rental property, the couple said, is geared toward groups — such as crafters, quilters, scrapbookers, ATV/UTV riders, snowmobilers, scouts and families.
“We changed it from a bar/restaurant to a rental property that sleeps 18,” Roger said. “We renovated the back end of the building and put in bedrooms.”
Formerly Tracy’s Place, Roger said the building and the location (13073 State Highway 32) was a perfect fit for what they had in mind.
“We were looking all over for about three years, and you couldn’t find a building where it didn’t require a complete renovation,” he said. “When you purchase a property, you have to bring it up to code. Most of the ones (we looked at) weren’t going to make it without massive renovations. This one was already done in 2013 as a bar/restaurant and was an easier flip for us.”
Familiar with the area, Cheryl — whose parents live within four miles of the retreat — said Mountain Memories is situated amongst many other attractions.
The Lamberts remodeled the back end of the facility to add four bedrooms that accommodate 18 people. Submitted Photo
“The ATV/UTV and snowmobile trails are right in the backyard,” she said.
In fact, Roger said, the trails bordering the Mountain Memories property are connected to the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest and its hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails.
“Because we are snowmobilers, I thought, ‘wow, this will be fun,’ and we got right into it,” he said.
The perfect getaway
Cheryl, an avid scrapbooker for 20 years, said Mountain Memories is a place where she can share her passion for the craft with friends and others.
“Peshtigo River Resort in Crivitz, where we scrapbooked twice a year, in September and January, shut down,” she said. “A friend of mine and I decided we should try to find a place.”
When her friend stepped back from the search, Cheryl said her husband stepped in, and before long, the couple found the Highway 32 property.
“We found the place, called the number and about two weeks later, we went to look at it,” she said.
As they toured the property, Roger said his wife began coming up with plans on how to utilize the space, and “one thing led to the next, did a full inspection of the building and we went after it.”
“We purchased it on Black Friday 2022,” Cheryl said.
Roger said he was shocked the property was on the market for a year and a half and no one snatched it up.
“That blew me away,” he said. “It was like somebody out there upstairs in the heavens, said ‘this is made for you guys. You have to come check it.’ So, that’s what we did.”
Roger, who has a background in HVAC and has owned rental property, said he put this knowledge and skill into remodeling Mountain Memories.
Owners Roger, left, and Cheryl Lambert said they are excited to share Mountain Memories Retreat with groups of all kinds. Submitted Photo
“My husband did a lot of the remodeling with a couple of builders and electricians,” Cheryl said.
Much of this, Roger said, had to do with contractor availability.
“I lived up there every weekend (as I did the work),” he said. “It was a little tough getting help because contractors were busy. So, we did it ourselves because we wanted to get it done.”
Much of the remodeling, Cheryl said, took place in the back half of the building.
“The kitchen became a three-stall shower room, the garage became three bedrooms and the other part of the kitchen became another bedroom,” she said. “Otherwise, the main hall and the bar — we didn’t do anything except remove the sink (behind the bar) and put a dishwasher and more cupboards in. We also added a refrigerator and stove.”
Facility accommodations
The facility, Cheryl said, includes four bedrooms, which sleeps a total of 18 (three queen-sized beds and 12 twin-size beds), two bathrooms and the three-stall shower room — complete with clean bedding, pillows, linens and towels.
Situated on five-and-a-half acres of land, Roger said they also installed three campsites on the property.
“There is no sewer, but it has power for up to three or four campers,” he said.
The fully stocked kitchen, Cheryl said, includes a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, a four-door commercial reach-in cooler, a coffee pot, a Keurig, two microwaves, a four-slice toaster, cooking utensils, glassware, silverware and plates.
She said the space also has two crock pots, a three crock pot warmer, a large griddle, a pizza oven, blender cookie sheets, cake pans, a mixer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons.
Mountain Memories, Cheryl said, also features a 1,300-square-foot area perfect for banquets, crafting, parties, business meetings, church gatherings and other family get-togethers.
Cheryl Lambert said the facility also features a 1,300-square-foot area perfect for banquets, crafting, parties, business meetings, church gatherings and other family get-togethers. Submitted Photo
The space has two 52-inch televisions, Starlink Wi-Fi and newly updated lighting.
For crafting get-togethers, Cheryl said, each guest received a six-foot table with a comfy chair and a waste basket.
“The perfect retreat for scrapbooking, crafters and quilters,” she said. “It is all on one floor for easy access to unload and load and is handicap accessible.”
Nestled in north central Oconto County, Cheryl said Mountain Memories is surrounded by various other attractions that folks can enjoy while there — including Tower Butler Rock, Hager Mountain and Mountain Fire Lookout Tower.
“A lot is going on in the area,” Roger said. “There is a supper club down the road and two or three different locations for entertainment (opportunities). The area is quiet and has good neighbors — everyone is friendly. That makes the place in itself a nice place to be.”
Cheryl said a nod to the retreat’s name, “you can come to Mountain and make memories.”
For more information on Mountain Memories Retreat, including information on rates, visit mountainmemorieswi.com or check out the retreat’s Facebook page.
