Yorks Barbara Sheff focuses on giving back at the Candleshop Inn. July 25, 2007 6:00 AM. Barbara Sheff stands outside the Candleshop Inn located in York Beach. Amy Root-Donle/photos@seacoastonline.com. What is the name of your business? The Candleshop Inn. This was a candle shop at one time before being a bed and breakfast, How long have you owned it? We bought it in 1999, so this is our eighth season. That first season we had no guest base really. We got the house cleaned up, and I called a contractor to take down that wall over there and there was a wall across here, linoleum and shag carpeting here, and a suspended ceiling. He found dry rot and illegal wiring. It was a mess. We made a number of renovations, including renovating three shared bathrooms and adding three others. How old is the house? It was three houses put together in 1896. One of the parts is from the 1700s. How was your first year in business? Our first guest came off the street and we had a lot of motorcycle people. There was another inn in town and the owners came by, Gil and Evelyn Billings, and they saw how much work we had done and sent us a lot of overflow guests. How did you get into the business? We didnt look to buy a BB. Because the house was in disrepair we could afford it. Im actually a microbiologist and my husband is a pediatric dentist. I left microbiology, though, to do this full time. This house is not about making money. Its about giving back to others and has always had someone in transition that helps with the inn keeping. Weve had two young couples over the years and a woman who was in a bad relationship. Everything we take from the inn we put back in. I understand you offer yoga and host retreats. Talk a little bit about that. We built a yoga studio last year and do yoga every morning. Im also a certified holistic nurse, and we have meetings every month with our mission being to help people learn self-awareness techniques. If you dont nurture yourself, youll have nothing to give your family. We have massage therapists that come in, too, and we have a number of retreats throughout the year. Weve had nursing retreats, quilting, scrapbooking, soccer girl tournament teams, 40 young women who just pledged at Boston University. Weve had New Years Eve parties, rehearsal dinners and brunches, and had one young woman who had a 30th birthday here and she hired a bartender and they decorated the deck. This may sound corny, but everyone whos come into my life has come here because the universe has brought them. Everyone who comes here is made to feel special. What types of food do you serve? I serve whole food, granola, fresh braked bread, and smoked salmon for those who arent vegetarian. I also have a staff of three Jamaican women who have become my sisters who make Jamaican specialties dumplings, salt fish. I visit them once a year, too. They are wonderful. You seem to truly care for the people you have met through the inn. Can you describe your philosophy behind your business? It is written on the walls of the dining room here: If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. That is my philosophy. My mission is to try and be the light. There is no TV here, no New York Times. I try to create an atmosphere where you can enjoy your family, sit on the deck, enjoy coffee, and listen to the foghorns. Each individual can make a difference. I wake up every morning and feel grateful. The Candleshop Inn is located in York Beach and is open year-round with off-season rates from November through March. For information, call (207) 363-4087, e-mail www.candleshopinn.com. This bi-weekly profile feature highlights business owners in the York area. Know of someone who would make a good profile subject, or want to know more about a local business owner? Contact us at 363-4343 or yorkweekly@seacoastonline.com. Click here to download a PDF version printable on one legal-sized sheet of paper. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat but would like to view the PDF, you may download it free via this link: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Create Your Own Retreat Packages. Our 10 bedroom, circa 1886 guest home is the perfect setting for a weekend getaway or retreat. We are located in the heart of York Beach, just a short stroll to the beaches, shops, restaurants, and other family-oriented entertainment. What a perfect destination for weddings, reunions, private parties, workshops, quilting bees, small-group conventions, etc. The entire Inn may be reserved. In the coming months, visit our web site for a listing of our off-season opportunities. If you wish to be a presenter or facilitate a group of your own, we would love to help make that opportunity become a reality. Some of our Former Retreat Parties. Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Weekend from Boston University. A Quilting Party Weekend at the Inn. Create Your Own Retreat Offerings At Our BB Holistic Center Available Year Round ~ You Pick the Dates (subject to space availablity; $ denotes add-on charge).; Nurturing environment for personal reflection, writing, reading; Hearty all-you-can-eat vegetarian breakfast Bottomless fruit bowl, coffee, tea and filtered water; Daily Yoga, mediation, guided imagery; Massage $, Reiki $, Aromatherapy $. Enjoy the Natural World...; Bird watching; Mountain walks; Ocean walks; Beach combing; Biking. Personal Pampering and Fitness; A variety of yoga classes at two local studios $; Local gym facilities - weights and aerobics classes $; Spa services ~ Manicure, pedicure, facial, waxing $. Please call or email Barbara Sheff to discuss your groups needs and ideas. Barbara will help you arrange a relaxing, rejuvenating retreat...

Yoga, Massage and Reiki Studio. Newly constructed in 2006, this free-standing, self-contained studio at our BB offers solitude and privacy for your massage and reiki treatments. We've built the studio with a luxurious bathroom, featuring a large soaking tub and shower for your relaxation. We also utilize this Yoga, Massage, and Reiki Studio when weather prohibits us from doing our daily outdoor yoga. We'll arrange for you to have a massage session with one of the area's best licensed massage therapists. Please inquire when making your reservation or in advance of check in. Reiki Energy Treatments. After your massage or reiki session, you may choose to continue relaxing with a long soak in our deep tub. Alternately, there is a shower if you merely wish to rinse off. Please inquire about renting this studio for your off-season meeting. York Beach is located in southern Maine. This oceanside town offers many restaurants, boutiques and shops to complement the scenic attractions (beach, Nubble Light, Mt Agamenticus and more). Please see our Area Attractions for more information. NEW FOR 2008 are Our Japanese Meditation Gardens! Select Your Guest Room

Our Bed and Breakfast Guest Rooms. With its serene atmosphere and beautiful ocean views, our ten-bedroom home is the perfect setting for replenishing the body, mind and spirit. Our unique Bed Breakfast offers a year-round escape for the traveler in search of inner tranquility. We offer rooms with your choice of private ensuite bathrooms to shared baths. We take pride in creating an environment that is both unpreten-tious and nourishing. Most of our bedrooms have spectacular ocean views, bringing in the healing sounds of the ocean and the clean, fresh mmm smell of the sea. Nurture yourself with the sounds of nature and the aromas of home cooking. Enjoy sunsets on our deck, stroll along the beach, or relax in a rocking chair on our spacious front porch. In cooler weather, curl up in front of the wood stove with a book and hot tea. Experience yoga, soak in a lavender bath, enjoy a therapeutic massage or Reiki session then relax in our newly-created Japanese meditation gardens. Click here to view our Rates click on room photos for more views. Private, Ensuite Full Bath Guest Rooms with Ocean Views. The Bridal Suite ~ #6. The Captain's Quarters ~ #9. Private, Ensuite Half Bath Guest Room with Ocean View. Shared Bath Guest Rooms (some with Ocean Views). Grandma's Boudoire ~ #2. Beachside Romance ~ #3. The Mirror Room ~ #4. Boone Island Light ~ #5. Attic Treasures ~ #10. Country Comforts ~ #11. P.O. Box 1216, 44 Freeman Street, York Beach, Maine 03910

Room Descriptions and Photos of our Shared-Bath Guest Room. Grandma's Boudoire ~. Shared Bath Second Floor, King Bed. Winter, $95; Spring and Early Fall, $115 Summer and Fall Foliage, $135*. Shared Bath Second Floor / Hand-Painted Murals. Winter, $105; Spring and Early Fall, $125 Summer and Fall Foliage, $145*. The Mirror Room with Ocean Views ~. Shared Bath Second Floor / Perfect for Families. Ocean Views / Side Chair. Double Bed and Two Twin Beds. Winter, $110; Spring and Early Fall, $130 Summer and Fall Foliage, $150*. Boone Island Light ~. Shared Bath Second Floor / Ocean Views. Rocking Chair / Double Bed. Winter, $90; Spring and Early Fall, $110 Summer and Fall Foliage, $130*. Shared Bath Third Floor / Perfect for Families. Double Bed and Two Trundle Twin Beds. Attic Treasurers with Ocean Views ~. Ocean Views / Rocking Chair. King Bed and Twin Bed. Our only Guest room on the First Floor. Shared Common-Area Bath / Rocking Chair. Wake to the smells of our wonderful Breakfast! Double Bed Winter, $80; Spring and Early Fall, $100 Summer and Fall Foliage, $120*. BB Private, Ensuite Full-Bath Guest Rooms. Bed and Breakfast Private, Ensuite Half-Guest Room

Area Attractions (Restaurants, Sight-Seeing Attractions, Amusements and more within walking distance or a very short ride of Candleshop Inn ). We are located just minutes by foot or car from many area attractions. For more information about these places or upcoming events please contact us or the York Chamber of Commerce at (207)363-4422.; Walk to Lydia Shire's Blue Sky Restaurant and other varied dining experiences.; Nubble Light; Art and Craft Galleries; York's Wild Animal Kingdom; Children's Playground and Arcade; Boutiques and Antique Shops.; York's Historical Villages and Homes; Five Beaches; Mt Agamenticus; Biking and Hiking; Horseback Riding; Boat Rides; Deep-Sea Fishing; Tennis Courts; Kittery Factory Outlet Malls; Golf Gourses; Miniature Golf; Water Parks; Movie theaters; Ogunquit Playhouse; Rachel Carson Wildlife Sanctuary. We encourge our friends from the Boston area to come and experience Lydia Shire's Blue Sky Restaurant. Don't drive back home; stay with us at Candleshop Inn BB. Before heading home enjoy these fine activities in our southern Maine location.