Henry and Tracy Hooper, owners

Gearhart Ocean Inn

67 N. Cottage Ave., Gearhart

On the northest corner of Pacific Way and Cottage Avenue is Gearhart Ocean Inn, one of three properties managed by Distinctive Beach Lodgings, which also runs nearby Fitzgeralds Cottages and the Inn at Arch Cape. Gearhart Ocean Inn, managed by Patti Lewis, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer and does online reservations. Visit www.distinctivebeach lodgings.com or www.gearhartoceaninn .com or call 800-352-8034.

What do you do?

Tracy: Gearhart Ocean Inn is a small lodging property that welcomes guests from all over the world, and we have king and queen studios and one- and two-bedroom suites. We specialize in a really intimate, cozy beach experience. All of our rooms have been recently renovated, and the colors are very warm and welcoming, and people often say they feel so comfortable in our rooms. Were also right in the heart of Gearhart. People can take the beach cruiser bikes we have that are complimentary and ride all over town. They can go down to the beach. We have clamming equipment thats also complimentary for all our guests, and we keep track of all the tides.

How did you get started doing this?

Tracy: My husband and I moved to the Northwest 11 years ago. We live in Portland, but we have always loved the beach, because we would go to the beaches in Virginia and Maryland and Massachusetts. When we came to Gearhart, it reminded us very much of old Cape Cod. We bought the property in 2005. Weve done lots of things to make the property more attractive and welcoming.

Patti: Our high school children dated each other, and thats how Tracy and I first met. She asked me what I did, and I said I was an accountant. They were looking for an accountant, and weve been business associates ever since. Im their accountant and operations manager here; I make sure the jobs get done on time and the rooms are ready.

What is the volume of your business?

Tracy: We definitely are a seasonal business, although were open year round. Our high season is June through September. We consider our low season from October through May.

Patti: In the summer, during the high season, we are pretty much at capacity most of the time absolutely every weekend, maybe with a room here or there during the week for a walk-in. Oct. 1 through the end of January, its quite slow for us. Its actually so slow in those months, that we actually close for about two months. We do renovations, and we deep clean the rooms, do repairs that need to be done. Now we have online booking. If somebody wants to book, we still take day reservations and things like that.?We are probably only at maybe 10 to 15 percent occupancy during that time. Were booked up almost every weekend in February and March. Once spring break hits, well have a couple of weeks where well be full for the week.

How does the economy affect your business?

Tracy: The one good thing about the bad economy is that people still want a chance to get away, and so if they live in Oregon or Washington or Northern California or even Seattle … they will come for a getaway. We definitely have been affected by the economy, but weve kept our rates very reasonable.

Edward Stratton