They say time flies when you are having fun and for Paul and Brenda Pounds, owners of Corner Oaks Bed and Breakfast, 20 years have flown by.
“We didn’t realize until we received the phone call about doing the story that it has been 20 years,” Brenda said.
The beautiful home sits on the corner of Broad Street and High School Avenue and has been a part of the community for more than 100 years. After falling in love with bed and breakfasts in New Orleans, the Poundses decided when they moved to Columbia they wanted to renovate a house to convert into a B&B.
Brenda bought the first antique in Greenville for the house, and slowly over the years she has been adding to the collection that can be seen in every room in the home.
When they first began, Paul said they were active in the Mississippi Bed and Breakfast Association for several years and took part in inspections of other B&Bs throughout the state.
Through the years they have had a lot of repeat customers, and eventually those customers became like family. The back area of the house on the first floor is the couple’s living quarters. It is usually closed off when guests are present, but when some of their favorite customers are there, then everyone gathers around for fellowship.
Paul said over the years, they have had some great guests.
“Our guests have always been respectful. We have never had an issue with them,” he said.
Brenda said they have had the best people stay with them. They have preachers coming in for revivals to stay with them and lawyers traveling in town for court. Brenda said once the whole place was booked with lawyers preparing for a trial that was being held in Marion County.
The Pounds say they are at the point where they can decide how busy they want to be. They like to travel so if they plan a trip it is not a problem to close the B&B down while they are away. However, when they are home it is something they enjoy doing.
One of the most interesting things Brenda said has happened over the years was they were contacted by a film company to use the front of the home for part of a movie being made. They had already made plans to be out of the town that weekend but made arrangements for another couple to stay at the house while filming was being done. It was not until afterwards they found out the movie that made was not family oriented, Brenda shared with a laugh.
In addition to the bed and breakfast, both the Poundses are proud of their gardens, Brenda for her flowers and Paul for his vegetables.
