Zainab Al-Mehdar
Thorne Feb. 2, 2022
A new business is coming to Thorne. Tapping into their German roots, new business owners are starting a short term rental business called Hill Haus Domes Pontiac, located at 331 Chemin du lac Thorne. The business sits on a five acre lot, which will feature three geodesic domes that will serve as accommodation for short term rentals being flown in from Poland.
“We recognize that there’s a serious need for hotel-like accommodations in the Pontiac,” said Jenna Jean-Marie, one of the . . .
business partners. Along with Jean-Marie and her husband, Cory Larocque, they partnered up with her brother Phil Jean-Marie and his wife, Chantal Duffy.
They are hoping to provide a unique experience for the community and newcomers as they have not seen that sort of structure in the Pontiac. People can expect a hotel like accommodation, with rooms that are roughly 400 square feet, fit for a family or four adults. The room will include a full kitchenette, full bathroom, a hot tub, and lots of options for sleeping accommodations. Prices will start at $225 a night.
After buying the plot of land in March 2021, they spent time studying the land, around July 2021 the wheels started turning and the planning phase began.
Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Jean-Marie highlighted that it is right up their alley, “we know the steps that need to be taken in order to put the infrastructure in and get the project up and running.”
Still juggling their full time jobs, Jean-Marie and Larocque work for Advance Tech, a bathtub refinishing company in Ottawa, Phil is a financial planner and Duffy is a teacher in Aylmer– she pointed out has been one of the challenges of starting their business. Nonetheless working with the community of Thorne, she added that they have been really accommodating and provided them with the permits that they needed.
“They are really pushing as well for infrastructure to be built in Thorne and to help build up that area. The Pontiac is very much cottage country and being only an hour and 15 minutes away from Ottawa we’re very accessible,” said Jean-Marie. “There will be no hiccups once everything is up and running.
Born and raised in the Pontiac Jean-Marie explained that she and her business partners wanted to set roots in this region and offer their community something they can enjoy. As well as building a business their kids can be a part of, when they are ready, added Jean-Marie.
“I think the most exciting thing is being able to lay down some roots in the Pontiac,” she said. They plan on keeping this a family run business.
Not only are they offering their guests a night under a starry sky but what borders the plot of land is 150 acres of a mountain range, and lots of opportunities for nature trails for walking and exploring. They are also located on a lake which makes for fantastic views. “It’s going to be a very eco-friendly experience,” said Jean-Marie.
To get their business up and running, the group of business partners have utilized local business, such as the SADC and the MRC with regards to funding. They are also working with Tourisme Outaouais when it comes to marketing efforts for their business.
They are hoping for a July 2022 opening, so long as their domes arrive on time.
