Member Property Spotlight: Perth County Inn and Edison’s Inn

Bruce, who is your host at Perth County Inn and Edison’s Inn, has been a frequent contributor to our social media posts. In particular, his “Stratford Day-Tripping” ideas for excursions within an hour or two of Stratford have been really popular. Today we get to share a little more about Bruce himself, and his properties here in Stratford - your home base for those amazing day-trips.

Bruce grew up on a cattle ranch in southern Alberta. After delivering calves in sub-zero temperatures, he decided that another career path might suit him better. As an international banker, his job took him around the world. He called many places home at different points in his career, as far-flung as Loen, Norway, and Accra, Ghana. Finally returning to Canada, a property on Ontario Street caught his attention. Of particular note was the second floor of the building, which had remained vacant since Thomas Edison lived there in the 1860s while he was a telegraph operator with the Grand Trunk Railway. A few years later, another building became available when the highly-regarded Family & Company toy store closed up shop, put out of business by low-cost online competitors.

Both properties have been lovingly renovated, while preserving their history and distinctiveness. Bruce shares his vision: “The two inns are designed to be in stark contrast to the big hotel chains that go for uniformity. We’ve got a total of 12 guest rooms, [three at Edison’s, nine at Perth County] and each one has its own character and stories, paying homage to the history of Stratford.” The meticulous care and attention to detail throughout the revitalization process resulted in Bruce being awarded the James Anderson Award by Heritage Stratford. The rooms range widely in size and budget, with some ground floor locations and configurations to suit families and friends traveling together.

If you are planning a visit to Stratford and need overnight accommodations, DiscoverStratford can be a helpful resource. Here on our website you can search for availability by date, filter by amenities, review photos, and compare features. Choose from over 25 properties: furnished short-term Apartments, B&Bs, and hip downtown spaces like Bruce’s two Inns.