BARRE, VT (WASHINGTON COUNTY) - The City of Barre fire station was erected at 8 South Main Street in 1904 and served the community for over 100 years. It was closed and put up for sale by the City in 2006. Valerie White-Beaudet purchased the building after the initial owners were unable to have success with the building.

The Ladder 1 Grill and Pub has been operating in the old firehouse since 2008. In 2013, White-Beaudet decided to turn the existing space on the second floor into the Firehouse Inn with several rooms available for overnight stays. Although the building has been completely renovated and restored, it still has that old firehouse feel and charm.

The Ladder 1 Grill & Pub on the first floor has seating spread out throughout the large former apparatus floor. The walls and ceiling alike are covered in fire patches, t-shirts, and antique firefighting tools and other historical items. Many of the antique firefighting items throughout the building were a part of a firefighting museum, which occupied the space at one time. Food items throughout the menu feature firefighting themes, or are named after area firefighters.

On the second floor, the Firehouse Inn has four rooms with clever names, including the "Chief's One Bedroom Suite" and the "Captain's Studio Suite" which are available for overnight stays ranging from $165-$229/night. All the rooms feature cable, Wifi, kitchenettes and other amenities. Old photographs from the Barre Fire Department line the hallway walls, and small features like an old firehouse telephone make the space feel authentic.

The owner has plans to turn the basement of the old firehouse into a "speakeasy" style barroom, which has a planned opening of later this year.

The Ladder 1 Grill & Pub can be visited online at www.ladder1grill.com, and the Firehouse Inn can be visited at www.firehouseinnvermont.com.

More Photos Available at: www.NEFirePhoto.com