Evergreen Motel under new ownership
from the Plainville Times  8/20/2009

Kayla Desbien Perez and her husband, John, recently purchased the Evergreen Motel in Plainville.   They also own the Americana Motel in Stockton.  The Evergreen, known for its unique room design, will continue the individualized look, but there will be some changes in the motel, according to Kayla.  "We will continue where they left off," she said, "I think Leona (Kenney) had done a lot of decorating and we will continue that, with updates as well."

There are 13 units at the Evergreen.  Plans are for Ron Ely to reside in the living quarters and operate the motel.  Kayla said both the Evergreen and the Americana will have their strong points, but top priority for both motels will be cleanliness.

Kayla said she began her career in innkeeping after high school, when she cleaned rooms for the former Ramada Inn in Hays, which is now a Days Inn motel.  She also worked at the Hill City Western Hills motel, and at the desk at the Motel 6 in Hays.   "I like being at home and being my own boss, yet it's a big job," she said.  "I raised my son Cory that way.  It's a lot of hours and you're always on the clock and at work 24-7."

Kayla said as a motel owner, you do the cleaning, laundry and desk work.  "When you own your own motel, you do as much as you can yourself."

While there are returning customers each year, Kayla hopes to attract new customers as well.  "I always thought this place had potential," she said.  "We want people to be pleasantly surprised when they walk into the rooms here."