When Brett and Nikki Woodland embarked on the renovation of the now Monarch Motel three years ago, they took on their largest project yet — but it was just one project in a long line of many they’ve worked on together.
“We have always been in the restaurant and customer service industry. Taking on the hospitality side of things together was a huge jump,” Nikki said.
The couple has been jumping into new career and business adventures with one another since they first met. The Woodlands met after Nikki finished her degree in hotel and restaurant administration from Washington State University and Brett finished his studies at Gonzaga University.
Nikki met Brett while she worked at a bakery in Spokane. From then on, their lives have revolved around food, drink and each other, Nikki said.
Alex Brizee | Argonaut
Nectar Resturant and Wine, located on 105 W Sixth St., during a light snowfall on Feb. 8.
Once they married in 2005 and moved to Moscow, the two decided it was time to put down roots in family and business.
By 2007, Nikki and Brett opened Nectar — a restaurant and wine bar specializing in local and seasonal food and drink. Nikki said Nectar was among the first restaurant establishments in Moscow to successfully introduce a more sophisticated menu to the community.
Nearly four years later, the two entered into an additional business venture with another couple and helped found Bloom — a breakfast and brunch spot located next to Moscow’s Friendship Square.
Once they handed off Bloom, Nikki and Brett began their biggest business venture in 2015 — the remodeling of the old Royal Motor Inn.
Located on Sixth Street, the Monarch Motel is just a few steps across the street from Nectar.
Now a boutique hotel, the Monarch’s 37 rooms had to be extensively remodeled.
The couple began small, renovating a few rooms at a time, while tenants who had long lived at the hotel began to trickle out. Nikki said all the rooms on the front side of the hotel have been renovated, while the backside is in transition.
“It was really run down when we first took this on. We knew that it would be a big project, but we had no idea how bad it was,” Nikki said. “There are always problems in the hospitality industry, but they are always such different problems every day. Nothing is ever the same.”
With Nikki’s past culinary experiences as her strongest business quality, she said she spends most of her time at Nectar in the back of the house.
Very much a “people person,” Brett said he spends his time with customers across their businesses.
“I’m much more of a binge-worker. I like to do lots of work in short amounts of time,” Brett said. “Nikki is so much more even keel — she always knows what people want and how to cater to their needs.”
Levi Vixie, the front-of-house manager at Nectar, has been working with the couple for just over a year.
“You know, working in the restaurant industry doesn’t always provide the best hours or the best money. But, it’s been such a privilege to work with Brett and Nikki,” Vixie said.
Alex Brizee | Argonaut
The Monarch Motel, located on 120 W Sixth St., during a light snowfall on Feb. 8.
For Vixie, the Woodlands’ passion and creativity for their businesses helped created a bubble of good food and good company in Moscow.
“It’s more than just managing for me,” Vixie said. “It’s the people, the family and the sense of belonging.”
Long hours and lots of business involvement together can often create stress, Nikki said.
“Most couples when they come home can complain about their work or get stuff off their chest, but for us we are always on with our business because it takes both of us,” Nikki said. “But at the same time, we know to be patient and recognize both our strengths and weaknesses.”
Now, with three children and many projects behind them, the Woodlands are looking to a calmer future. Nikki said they are working to make the Monarch Motel their main business — an establishment that can accommodate both local hospitality and their love of food and drink.
For Brett, each new year together as business partners and parents is another reason to be excited about their future.
“Especially in this business, a lot of couples don’t make it because of all the stress and work,” Brett said. “Being married and working together is one thing, but growing together — that’s just the best part of it all.”
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HaileyAStew