Cloverdale, a small town just outside of the big city, Moncton, New Brunswick. Somewhere that we might have passed by if not for our unique Airbnb stay in an oldschoolhouse that is being repurposed, in a "big" way.
They call it The Big Dreams Club, and owners Maury and Janina live inside the school, in a renovated quarters heated by a newly installed wood stove. But what about the rest of the school? Maury has big dreams for the rest of the building too. For now they have two Airbnb rentals, a shared kitchen nook, and a gymnasium with a huge trampoline. Maury, is already using the old building to host yoga and rebounding classes, also has dreams for a large rock wall, and potential for a camping area on the property.
When we arrived Maury greeted us and showed around the school. He told us some of the story of how the school came to be their home, and with great enthusiasm shared his dreams for the remainder of the building. Walking through the halls and lower level of the building, we were brought to our room.
An old elementary school classes room with big old windows running down one entire wall. A linoleum floor that had been painted bright blue, and a large chalkboard (fully equipped with chalk and eraser) on another wall. Radiators sat under the windows and an old wooden table and four wooden chairs sat in the centre of the room. The furniture was minimal, with three beds, an old mirror, small sitting couch and a desk which left you fully visualizing the classes that must have taken place in this room in years past. A couple of old rocking chairs sat by the chalkboard and a cupboard full of toys for children. As we unpacked our things and got situated in this oversized room, I couldn't help of be reminded of my old baptist church basement. The plumbing that ran down the walls, and old flooring gave me the same vibes that filled so many days of my youth.
I wondered if the kids would enjoy the space or if they would bellyache with boredom, but in no time at all they had pulled out the toys for children much younger then themselves and began to create a game, a game that they played together for hours! The kids went to the gym for a jump on the big trampoline and explored the other rooms we were given permission to look in.
For dinner we headed into the town of Cloverdale, to a restaurant recommended by Maury. It was called "Homestead Restaurant" and the tagline read "proudly your choice for homecook'n". I work in marketing and I can appreciate when a brand is on point and self-aware enough not to change what's working. I ordered a turkey dinner with all the fixins. The interior was carpeted and plaid curtains hung in the windows. Wood tables and booths, wood walls, wood everywhere, looked to be in original condition and adding to the charm of this place. The food was just as promised "homecook'n" and my simple slice of homemade bread with butter that came with my meal, memorable. This place had a good community feel, a hub of town it felt from an outsider's perspective. Calling customers by their first name, bringing them to their favourite tables, and already knowing what they were going to order before they even looked at the menu. An east coast gem. We pulled our car and trailer that was parked on an angle in three parking spaces (good job Aaron) and headed back to the school house. Our stay was short, with only one night before we headed to Nova Scotia. We slept in the beds, inside of the huge classroom, warm and cozy with the help of a few electric heaters. When the kids woke up we tidied up the classroom (ha!) and Autumn made sure to leave her mark on the blackboard wall. She chalked a picture of a rainbow, and a few other sweet treats.
Pulling out of the gravel parking lot we said goodbye to the Big Dreams Club and wished them well on their pursuit of happiness. This place was a reminder to go after your dreams, and now when we bantering about what-if's we often chime in with a "dream big" in memory of the old school the people that live inside. If you want a memorable stay near Mocton, check out the Big Dreams Club!
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