Avon’s Favorite Hostess to Retire Avon Inn to Good Hands after One Last Celebration

AVON – Linda Moran can fondly remember a November 33 years ago, when as a reckless 25-year old she took over as owner of a 16,000 square-foot mansion on East Main Street, the Avon Inn. Her knack for hosting parties and her natural love for people have let her Inn blossom into Avon’s most treasured venue, and she is now looking to see it off to the care of someone who will honor its legacy.

Hundreds of weddings and untold thousands of meetings and happy hours have since gathered in its halls, which Moran called home with her husband and eventually their daughters for 23 years. On Jan. 9, the Avon Inn will open its doors for the last time under Moran’s care, in memory of Blair Phillips, 24, who tragically passed away after a skiing accident in 2013.

“Blair was one of my kids who worked for me in high school, and I think that’s a good way to end,” said Moran. “That’s what we’ve been about this whole time, community. So we’re opening our doors one last time for him.”

Moran said that she has planned to retire for many years, and that when it comes to spending more time with one’s family, there is no time like the present.

“My sign that it was time is that I am now hiring children of kids who worked for me when they were in high school,” said Moran. “I’ve known that I was going to retire for some time, it’s something I’ve been promising my husband for a long time. Life is short and you can’t say ‘someday I’m going to do this or that.’

Though the property is to be sold after the last of the currently booked weddings are held, Moran, the visionary as always, is determined to pass the torch to another owner who will maintain the premises as an inn at least as long as she has herself.

“I’m pretty sure I have the record for the longest owner, and that is absolutely a challenge to the next one,” added Moran. “I would really like it to stay an inn. The building is 16,000 square feet, and this day and age, buildings like that have many different uses. I’ll feel really good and comfortable once it’s in good hands.”