Q + A with Jeff Snook and Jody Corey: Owners of Spoke and Vine Motel, Palisade
Originally published in the Fall 2020 issue of SPOKE+BLOSSOM
Photo courtesy of Jeff Snook and Jody Corey
Jeff Snook and Jody Corey recently moved to Palisade to fully renovate an old motel and open Spoke and Vine. Their hospitality paired with all the thoughtful touches on the fresh motel property make it a really special place to stay. Here’s some more from the couple on what makes the Grand Valley home.
What inspired you to open Spoke and Vine?
We have lived in Steamboat for almost 20 years and have been visiting Fruita during the spring and the fall to extend our mountain biking season. Jody came to Palisade on a girls’ wine weekend and stayed at the old motel that is now Spoke and Vine and realized it has the bones for a cool motel. However, it wasn’t until that following spring that we came back as a couple to do a Gran Fondo out of Palisade. That weekend we got to see the beauty of Palisade and got a glimpse into what a fun place Palisade is.
Our backgrounds are in hospitality, property management and design, so it wasn’t that much of a stretch. We have never had the opportunity of creating a lodging property from the ground up, and it was exciting for us to create a place that embodies how we like to travel. We felt there is a market for travelers who are looking for a luxury experience with top notch customer service in the form of motel accommodations.
What was the process of renovating Spoke and Vine like, and what was your inspiration?
The renovation had its highs and lows. Luckily, when Jeff was at his low, Jody was on a high and vice versa! The motel was built in 1955 and needed a lot of love. The place was completely gutted and we replaced almost everything except the exterior, doors, windows and roof. We have taken many road trips and we added little details that we felt were important when traveling. We tend to travel with too much gear and always bring our dogs along. We look for motel-style properties where you can park right outside your door. We like to have quick access to our gear without feeling the need to lug it inside. We like a bathroom that is bright, clean and new. Our dogs never understood elevators and long interior hallways. We wanted to have a hybrid experience where guests can ask us for any advice or recommendations yet have their own space to enjoy their quiet time.
What drew you to the Grand Valley and its community? And, how did you choose Spoke and Vine’s location?
We love the variety of outdoor recreation, quality of the wineries and restaurants, and the natural beauty of the area. Palisade is a special town in Mesa County. We Palisade’s agriculture– the fruit, vegetables, and wine cannot be beat! Palisade has a small town feel, yet it’s a vibrant community. In a short time, we have been able to connect with a bunch of cool locals, many of whom are business owners as well. As for the actual location, the motel is in the perfect spot. Most of our guests leave their cars parked for their entire stay as the motel is centrally located to all the area’s main attractions.