The Wishing Well Guest House started as an 1850s farmhouse and was transformed into a successful bed and breakfast in New Hope. Now up for sale, the owner hopes to see a new chapter for the inn.
Daniel Brooks purchased the bed and breakfast 18 years ago with the intention of restoring the old abandoned farmhouse to its original shape.
“I bought it at a time when things were bustling. It has always had a history with a little ‘gayborhood’ area of New Hope,” Brooks said.
The Wishing Well, located off Old York Road, is in an area centralized for tourists and locals rooted in the LGBT community.
New Hope Celebrates, which Brooks also founded, is an all-volunteer LGBT marketing organization and hosts New Hope Pride Week & Parade, an annual event drawing in celebrants.
Brooks said he created the organization to help simulate tourism and bring awareness to New Hope. Since its beginning, organization members frequently held meetings at the Wising Well.
“It’s a scene I’m very proud of. For 10 years, it was like a clubhouse for the LGBT community. I would like to see it continue in that direction.”
Not only does the Wishing Well serve as a meeting post, it attracts people from different states such as New York. Many Pride organizations in the region hold their annual retreats at the inn, according to Brooks. The site also has other uses, such as a couple’s getaway, yoga retreats and ceremonies.
“All things considered, my goal was achieved. New Hope celebrations are bigger than ever. People are aware of the Wishing Well. It’s a place you come to see in New Hope,” Brooks said.
The inn also has convenient locations near other areas in New Hope, like The Raven and Bucks County Playhouse.
“It’s actually a very good time in New Hope with things happening and a lot of restoration. It’s a good time for someone to invest in New Hope,” said Brooks.
The owner of the Wishing Well said he hopes to see someone interested in the LGBT community to keep moving in a positive direction with the inn. The Wishing Well also has a one-bedroom apartment within the structure for the individual who buys the property and takes over the reigns. It also includes six guest rooms.
Brooks currently works as a full-time psychoanalyst in New York and said he feels it is time to move on to different things.
“I’m really hoping I can attract an LGBT owner, whether a couple or someone, who would like to come, and hopefully it will continue to serve the community by bringing an awareness to tourism and bring people in. I would love to see someone gay maintain all the effort that has been made in attracting LGBT guests. It’s really a beautiful facility,” Brooks said.
For more information on the bed and breakfast, visit www.wishingwellguesthouse.com.