family to launch new B&B in Historic downtown

With just one visit to Arcadia, FL, Pia and Thomas Crone knew they were home.

The Crones learned of Arcadia while searching for property to create a beautifully designed gathering space.

“We searched in the Carolinas and Tennessee until a historic home in Arcadia caught our eye,” Pia said. “During our visit, we instantly fell in love—with the house, the charming downtown, and the welcoming community.” 

That historic home, now referred to as the John Lee Haus Inn, is located at 601 W. Oak Street and is currently under renovations with the Crones leading the work.

Pia, an Army veteran, is an interior designer and event planner. Thomas serves as Florida Army National Guard captain.

“We’re approaching renovations in phases, as there’s so much to accomplish,” Pia said. “Right now, our primary focus is completing the cottage—affectionately called ‘The Maisonnette’ — so we can begin offering it as a short-term rental within the next month or so.”

From there, Pia said they will tackle the exterior, including restoring the balconies, repainting the entire house, and refreshing the landscaping, with a goal of finishing by summer. They’ve already had the foundation redone.

“By fall, we’ll move on to the interior, aiming to complete the full renovation by the end of the year and start welcoming guests in 2026,” she said. “We’re beyond excited for that day but are taking it one step at a time!” 

The John Lee Haus Inn’s name was derived from the house’s historical name, “John Lee & Mourning Jones House.”

The Crones have already secured a Bed & Breakfast special permit from the city and are now applying for an additional permit to host events like intimate weddings, parties, reunions and retreats.

For more information and updates about the inn, find them on Facebook under the name John Lee Haus Inn.   

DeSoto, partners wrap DeSoto Court House renovations

For the latter half of 2024, the exterior of DeSoto County Courthouse was under the knife for a bit of a facelift. 

DeSoto County, along with contractor Graciano Corporation, recently wrapped major renovations on the historic building.

Work crews meticulously made repairs on multiple aspects of the old redbrick courthouse, involving everything from mortar matching and structural repairs to vegetation removal, among other renovations.

All mortar types were tested and matched with architects’ guidance to ensure the correct materials were used, Graciano’s Glen Foglio said during a February 11 County Commission meeting. 

Repairs were made to cracked stone areas, Foglio added, which allowed them to opt for cost-effective and faster solutions rather than full replacements.

The work contract amount was just over $1.9 million with $500,000 in grant funding through the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.

The restoration began mid-June to early July, wrapping up in late December 2024. 

The courthouse was originally built and completed May 5, 1913. The architectural firm Bonfoey and Elliott of Tampa used elements of Greek and Roman classical architecture in designing it.  

In 1984, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For video of some of Graciano Corporation’s work, click here. 

February is a “Grand Openings” Extravaganza around DeSoto 

Three very different businesses around the county planned grand openings in the month of February.

DeSoto Martial Arts Kicks Open Doors at New Location