Shamrock Motel and Cottages

DECEMBER 2014

Thornton, NH – This past summer, the Shamrock Motel and Cottages located in Thornton, NH were able to utilize marketing technology to help achieve the property’s best business levels in over a decade. Donna and Byron O’Donnell originally purchased the business in 2000, NCIC began its involvement in 2006 by participating with a local bank in refinancing the property.

The Shamrock’s location on Route 3, while in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, does not have the benefit of consistent tourist traffic. At one time Route 3 was the primary corridor to the White Mountain Region, the construction of Interstate 93 in the 1980’s greatly reduced traffic for businesses along the road. As a result, businesses located on Route 3 have had to be creative in how they market to potential guests.

“NCIC has been there when we needed them. First with working capital, and now with a cost-sharing grant to market and grow our business.”
-Shamrock Motel and Cottages Owners, Donna and Byron O’Donnell

Earlier this year Donna and Byron met with Mollie White from NCIC, and quickly recognized the opportunity to potentially grow their business by taking a fresh look at their marketing, including modernizing their website. NCIC was able to provide cost sharing for technical assistance, and helped to identify Total Scope Marketing as a vendor that could help them accomplish their goals. Following the implementation of a new marketing plan, including the newly-designed, modern website, the Shamrock Motel and Cottages enjoyed its most successful season in 14 years.

“The Shamrock Motel and Cottages is truly a quintessential New England property that once guests discover it, they return and recommend it to their friends. The owners simply needed the tools to capture new guests,” stated NCIC Business Resource Manager Mollie White.