b'entrepreneurs. The Hopkins resident also worksasapropertymanagerandshe and her husband own several preschools. And, in this small, tight knit community ofnearly3,000residents,thebusiness ventureshavecontinued.Sheandher husband, Stanley, and their children have developed a quaint, yet sprawling family-ownedfacilitythathasexpandedover theyears,servingasanattractionfor individuals in Hopkins and beyond. Christinacanthelpbuttosmileand speakexcitedlyasshetakesmeona virtual tour of the estate. THE START OF MIDDLETON PLACE ownedbusinessasuccess,thefamilycreatedaBed Fouryearsago,MiddletonPlacegotitsstart.Theand Breakfast that I am sure is rivaled.Middletonspurchasedthepropertyalongthemain corridorofthecity,andtoredowntheMORE THAN A BED AND housethereafteracquiringthesite.TheBREAKFASTnewhometheywouldbuildwastoserveMiddletonPlaceBedandBreakfastisequipped asaretirementhome,butChristinasoonwithtwobedrooms.Eachbedroomhasapatio changed that notion.area,aspaciouswalk-incloset,andafullystocked Wetraveledalotandwentoutoftherefrigerator. A jacuzzi and a fireplace also add to the country, and a lot of times we stayed in aperfect ambiance. BedandBreakfast,recalledChristina.Areadingroom,familyroomanddiningroomare We used to live in Charlotte and hostedinside the property, filled with a flat screen television, a lot of people who would come throughluxuryfurnitureanddesignitems.Visitorscanalso and catch the plane or they would visit, andenjoyaswimmingpool,anoutdoorkitchenarea,a we have always been told that we are goodpool table, and a picnic area fitted with a charcoal and hostesses. gas grill. The traveling and the Middletons knack atChristina is quick to differentiate between a Bed and hosting led to their interest in developingBreakfast and an Airbnb. theone-levelbuilding.Additionally,the factthatbothsheandherhusbandareAn Airbnb is where you rent the house and youre from Hopkins was an added incentive.not there, says Christina. With a Bed and Breakfast, Wewantedtobringaniceblack-ownedbusinessyou have to be there. You have to host people. You put back to the Hopkins area, says the Lower Richlandout special things for them. If theyre on the property HighSchoolgraduate.Wewantedtocontributesitting in the gazebos, you make sure they have treats somethingnice,abusinessthatpeoplewouldbelike homemade baked goods and lemonade. You cater proud of. to their every need.WithChristinasdecorative,creativeandAndofcourse,visitorsgetahotbreakfastevery organizational skills, Stanleys knack for building andmorning. working hands-on, and children who were willing toWhatstartedasaBedandBreakfastquickly step up and help make their dreams of being a black-IMARA11'