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| Photo IIG |
A brand new, boutique hospitality hotel called, The Shepherd Hotel, is set to open to the public in late 2020.
This new property is located in downtown Clemson and within view of Clemson University, the hotel will provide a relaxed and inspirational stay for all its guests. The hotel will provide an opportunity to employ a large percentage of its workforce to those with learning and intellectual disabilities, which is the key ingredient of the hotel's mission.
The idea for the hotel originated with co-founder Rick Hayduk, a seasoned luxury hotel leader. His daughter Jamison, who has Down syndrome, inspired him to operate a hotel whose primary service providers are individuals with disabilities. Encouraged by his oldest daughter, Vaughn, a Clemson University alumnus, Hayduk partnered with the ClemsonLIFE (Learning Is for Everyone) programme to develop the hotel.
“Jamison has been an inspiration to all of us,” Hayduk said. “She got me to look at life differently. I now try to see things as she does; always positively and, more importantly, always enjoying the moment.”
“I had bought a property in downtown Clemson with the idea of building a hotel,” Said Rich Davies, co-founder of The Shepherd Hotel, “There currently is no downtown hotel within close proximity of the university. So the hotel idea was on my mind anyway. I shared Rick’s vision immediately. Many who are challenged by intellectual disabilities are blessed with a special gift of hospitality. We put a partnership together and went to work.”
Many, but not all, of the hotel’s employees, will be students or graduates of the ClemsonLIFE program. The hotel will provide the students with practical hospitality training to fulfil their requirements for a Certificate of Hospitality from the university. The goal is that after employment at the hotel, students will have a greater opportunity to find gainful employment.
Key features of the hotel:
Sixty-seven guest rooms
A rooftop event space that can hold up to 150 people. This space will be available to rent and is the first of its kind in downtown Clemson.
A bar with a terrace on the third floor
A ground-floor restaurant
The Shepherd Hotel is expected to open in winter 2020. Visit theshepherdhotel.com
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