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After growing up in the small towns of Springville and Camillus in upstate New York, my hospitality career began in the Berkshires, in the quintessential New England village of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
The Red Lion Inn on its prominent corner of Main Street provided a rich introduction to independent hospitality and plenty of opportunities in all facets of the business. I worked in or managed every department in the Inn, including a few assignments at sister properties Blantyre, Porches Inn at Mass MoCA, and Country Curtains.
The day owner/mentor Jane Fitzpatrick offered me the Red Lion Inn General Manager position, I felt as though I pulled the sword from the stone. It was a Camelot-like experience for 21 years, and the lessons learned there have served me well.
As the elder Fitzpatricks began to sell their shares in the Inn, there was a point in my life when I realized that similar opportunities were few and far between requiring a national focus.
Private club opportunities led us to New Haven, Connecticut and on to Kohler, Wisconsin. We had the privilege of opening the luxury lodge and spa at Primland in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. A desire to combine Susan’s love of horses and hospitality led us to guest ranches in Pearce, Arizona, Clark, Colorado, and beyond.
We proudly opened the pet-centric Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile for Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Recently, we had the great pleasure of helping an extraordinary family to reposition their new estate, Great Oak Manor, into a lovely country house hotel on Maryland’s eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay near the wonderful town of Chestertown.
As a student and teacher of graciousness and hospitality the reflections here are largely my own, with a few in tribute to my grandfather, Brooks Bradbury Sr.
All of these BrooksLooks entries have been written along the crooked, sometimes unpaved road of our lives–and until recently all while serving others along the way in the field of gracious hospitality.
I have eternal gratitude for the love and support of my wife Susan, of our family and friends; the lessons learned from so many colleagues, teammates, coaches, mentors, and elders; and through our service to others– especially the legions of guests I have been privileged to know and serve.
We have loved each of the unique communities, friendly and supportive neighbors, and the wide-open spaces we have called home. Most recently, we have returned to the Chestertown area on Maryland’s pastoral eastern shore.
Thank you for keeping in touch, for reconnecting, for your support, your encouragement, and feedback.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Brooks
brooks.bradbury@gmail.com / BrooksLooks
Innspired Hospitality
mobile 970.846.4550
Brooks Bradbury 