The Second Story is located in Defiance, Ohio, in the northwestern part of Ohio. Defiance is known for a structure known as Fort Defiance, which was constructed during the Northwest Indian War in 1794. The town is based largely in history, and The Second Story attempts to complement it with its two suites, one king-sized bedroom and one queen-sized bedroom. The inn also has a designated spot that can be used as an event center where guests and businesses can rent out the downtown building and have a celebration or corporate event.
Located in downtown Defiance in a commercial building, the Second Story offers two executive suites to its guests. The King Suite provides a king-sized bed for its guests, located in a four-poster bed frame. A private bathroom contains a full-sized tub, offering an assortment of bathroom essentials for the patrons during their stay. The tub is situated on the corner of the bathroom and is an air-jetted tub. An air-jetted tub is a tub that features several jets that blow heated air into the bathwater, which in turn fills the bathwater with massaging bubbles. A walk-in shower can also be found in the bathroom, providing different options for cleansing. The Second Story supplies towels and necessary toiletries. Television with cable as well as a DVD player is placed in the mainstay of the room, providing entertainment and media sources.
With the inn being regularly rented out by business executives, the room contains an iron and iron board for clothe ironing purposes. Other amenities include a hairdryer, alarm clock, and a full kitchen. The full kitchen provides cooking and food preparation opportunities for the guests.
The other room located in The Second Story is the Queen Suite. The Queen Suite can be connected to an additional room with two twin beds for an additional fee. This connection allows larger groupings to rent out the suites. There is a "Jack and Jill bathroom" in the room, which is a bathroom that often includes two separated sinks, with a shared bath/shower and toilet area. Typically the bathroom is shared between two rooms, with doors entering from each room. The places connected to this bathroom are the Queen Suite and the optional addition of the two twin bedroom. Cable television, ironing options, and a hairdryer come with the Queen Suite, similar to the amenities offered in the King Suite.
The Second Story is located in downtown Defiance, placing it within walking distance of various restaurants and shops. Two blocks away from the Second Story is the Inn on Third, an additional inn owned by Sylvia Koester, the Second Story owner. This inn provides similar executive suites for guests. In addition to rental suites, The Second Story provides weddings, business parties, and other retreat opportunities. The building can accommodate up to 40 guests for an event, including complete audio and visual equipment for renters.
Sylvia Koester, the owner of The Second Story, describes the culture of the inn as "feeling like you are in a city while being in a small town." Guests of the property further that notion by stating that "[The Second Story]...is like staying in Chicago, without actually staying in Chicago." Other reviews of the property mention the homeliness of the property, stating, "This place [The Second Story] really feels like a home! The owner goes out of her way to accommodate our every need."
The location of the property, in downtown Defiance, is seen as "outstanding, a great location for a nice weekend away, a wedding event, or any other type of party." Sylvia Koester, the owner of the inn, is seen as a "very accommodating and lively person. Sylvia and The Second Story are first class!" With the property also serving as an entertainment venue, guests mention in their reviews, "it is an excellent space for parties. You can't beat it." The Second Story has a number of returning guests as well, with several of them mention in their reviews that they plan on coming back and spending more time at the establishment. Defiance, Ohio, where The Second Story is located, is mentioned as being a "very nice place, with little to no stress. There also is history to this city, so it is worth checking out."
In Defiance, several restaurants and shops can be found, among them including The Tuttle Museum. The Tuttle Museum focuses on the Native American artifacts that were collected by lifelong resident Andrew L. Tuttle. Andrew was known for collecting artifacts, mostly Native Americans. Those artifacts included coins, documents, stamps, military memorabilia, and more. Upon his death in 2003, Andrew requested that his belongings be placed in a museum, thus creating The Tuttle Museum in his honor.
The Second Story was created in 2013 by Sylvia Koester, who purchased the property in the same year. Before its time as an inn, The Second Story served as a residential property for a man from North Carolina. This individual wished to see his family in the area, which led him to buying the property and renovating the top portion to serve as a residential piece. Having owned various bed and breakfasts herself, Sylvia purchased the inn with her husband, initially creating The Second Story as a bed and breakfast. However, due to lack of demand, The Second Story turned into an inn only, as it currently stands.
Syliva Koester also owns the hair salon located near the property, as well as the Inn on Third, located two blocks from The Second Story. The Inn on Third serves as an additional inn, providing two executive suites for guests.
210 Clinton Street Suite A
Defiance, Ohio 43512
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Sylvia Koester