MT. VERNON – Maybe it was fate or just luck. Susan and Tom Hutchison, who had owned the Mt. Vernon Motel and RV Park for the past 12 years, had just taken the For Sale sign down off of their lot the day that Patrick and Zola Green came to rent a room for the night.

The Hutchisons didn’t know, but the Greens were staying there for a reason, they were interested in purchasing the lot. They had driven through the John Day Valley a few days earlier keeping an eye out for a business to possibly buy.

The Greens were on their way to visit Zola’s family in Pendleton from their hometown of Esterville, Iowa. They had seen the For Sale sign and drove on with thoughts of returning. The Green’s returned a few days later and spent the night in the motel, noticing the sign was gone.

The next morning when Pat was checking out, he asked if they were still wanting to sell. Suzan and Tom had decided to take a break from being on the market, but Pat explained that they were interested in purchasing. One year, almost to the day, and many phone conversations later from Esterville, Iowa to Mt. Vernon, Pat and Zola Green are the new owners of the Mt.Vernon Motel and RV Park as of March 1.

The property holds 21 RV sites, two permanent cabin rentals and seven motel rooms that are available to rent nightly, weekly or monthly. All of the motel rooms feature air conditioning and five rooms are established with kitchenettes. The rooms rent for $30/plus tax a night for singles. Along with the rooms and RV park there is a Laundromat on site, open to the public, a shower room for people staying in the RV Park and a quiet, shady park.

The Greens have plans of making a small gift shop that will feature one-of-a-kind artwork and collectibles from local artists and craftsmen to sell.

“We really appreciate the community for all the help and support they have given us,” Zola commented.