Old home houses new hospitality business
From the moment they laid eyes on the “Shamrock Houseˮ on County Road 9 east of Cashtown Corners, Roberto Foti and Amanda Franko knew they had found their forever home. Dating back to the 1860s, the house is a stunning example of Victorian architecture with large principal rooms, soaring ceilings and elaborate woodwork. Franko’s father had forwarded the listing along with several others, but once they saw it, they decided they need look no further. She describes the sense of magic that started with the beautiful maple- lined drive and felt like walking into a dream. The house ticked all their boxes, so they immediately made anoffer and moved in last June to begin the process of building Lush Earth Oasis.
The pair had been living on a hobby farm outside Cookstown and had spent more than a decade working in wellness retreats. When the business they were working for was placed for sale, they figured it was time to strike out on their own.
Both were somewhat familiar with the Creemore area. Foti’s father once owned and operated the Spike and Spoon restaurant in Collingwood and Franko grew up on a farm in Caledon.
They are both chefs who love healthy cooking and taking care of people. Franko is also a yoga instructor and makes small batch personal care products and candles.
The 5,000 square foot home is filled with antiques and has a salt water pool and hot tub, a yoga studio and accommodations for 12 to 15 guests all on a beautiful five acre lot. Their vision for Lush Earth Oasis includes group retreats, bed and breakfast accommodations, larger events such as weddings and perhaps lunch and learn workshops. They plan to add a big cedar sauna, expand the patio space for outdoor dining and perhaps build a few bunkies to increase the number of single rooms available. Foti is looking forward to getting outside this spring to construct paths and landscaping to take advantage of the spectacular surroundings.
Eventually, they hope to host three group retreats per month. For now they are building their business slowly while they focus on dealing with some of the challenges that come with a century home. They plan to be at local farmers’ markets in the spring and look forward to meeting more people in the community. Until then, they can be found at www.lushearthoasis.com.
