CROWN POINT | City residents are impatient for the city's new bed and breakfast to open.

"I've had quite a few people come in and ask if they can reserve rooms for relatives over Thanksgiving," said Claudia Feldt, the owner of 158 N. Main St., a three-story home she plans to convert into a bed and breakfast called The Main Street Inn. "I have to tell them I haven't even started construction yet."

Feldt was supposed to begin renovations in October on the 100-year-old home when her tenants in the apartments on the second and third floors moved out with the expiration of their leases. But she said her tenants were building a new house and won't be moving out until that home is finished early in December. Now she expects construction to begin in mid-December with a spring opening.

Feldt has already turned part of the house into a carpentry showroom and antique store with business partner Rex Goble. She said she will convert three of the remaining rooms on the first floor into bedrooms and turn the second floor into a two-bedroom suite. The third floor would be used for her owner-occupied suite. With rollaway beds for children, the business will be able to accommodate 12 people at once. A continental breakfast would be served in the morning.

She said the nearest hotel is in Merrillville and the city doesn't have a small hotel.

The Main Street Inn will charge $75 for a single, $85 for a double and $125 for the suite per night.