Three Bears Motel a dream opportunity for new owners

When Patty and Bob Weatherston saw the Three Bears Motel listed for sale in a Craigslist ad, they saw both a business opportunity and a chance to move to a town they love.

"For 30 years we've been coming up and visiting friends who have a cabin. We just loved it so much we didn't want to go back home," Patty said. "We found this opportunity and it's been great."

The Weatherstons moved to Lincoln from Helena and took over ownership of the motel from Louanne and Kevin Minear at the end of April, after spending time with them to learn the basics of the business.

"I just kind of came up when I could, when they were available," Patty said. "We worked with them for like two days before closing. They were good teachers."

She said the only real surprising thing so far has just been the sheer amount of laundry they have to do.

With the help of their 20-year-old son, Ian, they've been running the motel for almost three months, and are still getting settled into the business and getting a feel for the town.

"Ian's been a huge help. I don't know if we could do it without him," Patty said.

As newcomers to both the town and the business, Bob said they aren't planning any significant changes to the business yet, apart from keeping the business open year-round.

"I think for the time being (we'll keep it) just the same, to see what this year holds, then decide," said Bob.

One change he said they are contemplating for the future is taking down the old house on the motel property, which would need significant work to make it habitable, and adding a couple RV sites in its stead.

Their main goal for the business is simply to see more visitors stop and stay with them.

"There is so much traffic that goes by, I'd like to see some of it stop into Lincoln," said Patty, who appreciates local events that draw people to the community.

She said the Minears did give them a heads up about the seasonal economic fluctuations Lincoln sees through the year.

"Kevin and Louanne were pretty good about telling us what to expect," Patty said. "We knew we'd have our slow times and have our busy times. We have had both of those."

Bob said they have been staying pretty busy so far this summer, with quite a few cyclists staying with them.

Before making the move to Lincoln, the Weatherstons spent 18 years in Helena. Patty, who's originally from there, has a background in loan servicing and banking while Bob, who grew up in Dillon, worked as a carpenter who primarily built houses.

Now that they're in Lincoln they hope to find time to take part in some of the outdoor activities they enjoy, such as hunting, fishing and four wheeling. Bob said they've spent quite a bit of time on the roads and ATV trails north of town while visiting friends here, but he said there are areas around Lincoln they haven't explored yet.

The sale of the Three Bears Motel was a pretty low-key affair that many people were unaware of, and some people in town are caught by surprise when the Weatherstons introduce themselves as the motel's new owners. Nonetheless, they said say they've had a warm welcome.

"With the community being so nice and warm and welcoming it has been really wonderful. Everybody has been really helpful when I've reached out," Patty said. "I love it. It was my dream to move up here."