Accidental InnKeepers
DeSoto Magazine
Karen Ott Mayer
March 27, 2007

Insomnia can strangely affect the sufferer.  Few insomniacs, however, evolve into an innkeeper as a result of late night, sleepless wanderings. One night a few years ago, Joel Bennett couldn't sleep, so he decided to drive around Ripley.  That's when he discovered the former Ripley Feed & Seed Store.  More...

Coming Back Home to Invest
Boomtown USA
Jack Schultz

Joel and Donna Bennett live in Las Vegas where Joel sells Caterpillar equipment. They return often to Ripley, MS and on one of their visits Joel couldn’t sleep so he drove around the town. When he stopped in front of the old Ripley Feed and Seed Store, it brought back many memories, “I remember coming into this building as a young boy and looking up into the circle in the ceiling and up into the second floor where they stored all of the seed.” 

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Small Town Spotlight
Mississippi Magazine

Lucy Schultze
July/August 2007

Where in Mississippi is ... Ripley? Famous for its long-running flea market, this northeast Mississippi city is touting its downtown, too.

Locals point to the recent debut of the Inn on the Square, an elegantly modern downtown hotel featuring three guest suites and a private loft above. Owned and operated by Joel and Donna Bennett, whose personal touches include welcoming guests with a slice of homemade cake. More...