The George Washington Wood Bed & Breakfast is now the Willough B & B

The George Washington Wood Bed & Breakfast is now the Willough B & B

11/11/2025

by Brian Coll

Let me first by apologizing, MJ the new owner and I have been going back and forth for awhile now and I am finally able to put the finishing touches on this article, so if anything looks a little dated…my fault. Having said that…I am so excited for the new owner MJ, but have to send some love to Joe Rutkowski. Joe and his wife Carol poured their hearts into this old home on East 5th Ave here in Conshohocken. I was thrilled for them to reach for their dreams. I was heartbroken when Carol passed away. Joe recently sold and the new owners are ready to open Conshohocken’s Bed and Breakfast up to travelers.

I have got the chance to chat with MJ the new owner a few times and tour the property. It is still as beautiful as ever and I wish MJ the best of luck as she and her team navigate Bed and Breakfast life. Here is one of our conversations that formed this article.

Hi MJ, I am thrilled for you that you bought one of my favorite places in not only Conshohocken, but all over the world. The George Washington Wood Bed & Breakfast. I was so happy when Joe and Carol brought the unique building back to life and sharing it with all of Conshohocken through the bed & breakfast. 

Now, I understand if you want to make it yours and I understand there is a new name… can you tell us about it?

I am thrilled to continue the story of this historical building. The universe felt me missing the hospitality world, where I spent the past 35+ years launching hotels and hotel residence properties.  I was out to dinner with a longtime friend, Marne Nunez, owner of Salon Fabhair by Marne, on Fayette, and she shared that the Bed & Breakfast near her salon in “CONSHY” was still on the market. I checked the listing and reached out to Mike Sroka at exp Realty.    Mike , Joe O’Donnell, President of OMEGA Commercial and Seller Joe Rutkowski worked as a team to put this deal together, it was a true collaboration.

I then engaged a local agency, Medici+Maestro to guide us through the naming and brand approach.  We tossed around many names, including “Zia Carmella” , which happens to be my mother’s name and the name of the premier hotel and restaurant in my family hometown of Montella, Italy.  It was my friend and industry colleague, Patrick Michaels who called me early one morning and said, “I thought about our conversations in naming the brand, and the work you are doing with agency, Mx2 , and I think the name came to me last night!  Willough , spelled the “Old English” way.  A willow tree provides shelter and the use of old English spelling; implies we are located in the “Borough”.

Is anything else going to change besides the name?

We are going to continue Carol and Joe Rutkowski’s tradition of offering warm hospitality. The team at Willough Bed+Breakfast will also focus on curated, customized stays.   We plan to focus on Wellness, as it continues to be a huge trend at the moment in travel. Much of what we do offer will be based in strong partnerships with local business owners.  For example, we are building an EAT,LOVE, STAY package to include:   Fresh fruit and veggie plate en suite accompanied by cold pressed juices for 2 at check in, 2 passes to the Vision+Fitness and LOVE infrared fitness studio, and a couples en suite massage, all rounded off with daily healthy farm to table breakfast inspired by chef Robert Barrett.

Chef Robert Barrett is also a Sommelier, and we hope to parlay that into opening a bottle shop on site as well as curated wine tasting dinners.  Stay tuned as we make our way toward that end with the Borough.  We have also kicked around the concept of “grab and go gourmet” meals as we have an entrance on Hallowell that would work nicely for this concept.

When are you going to start taking guests? Will it be open in time to host guests that go to the Conshohocken Adult Prom (February 28th)

 We are welcoming our first guests today,  Thursday 11/6/25 and they will be “in residence “ for a full week. We will surely offer a Stay-cation option for the Adult Prom in February; with options to indulge in the hair of dog.

I probably should have started with asking you to tell us about yourself and how you came to be the new owner of the Bed & Breakfast… but I was so excited to start talking about it. So, what can you tell us about yourself and why this property caught your eye. 

As mentioned earlier, the universe was tuned in to this potential acquisition.  During Due Diligence for this property, I stopped to visit my god parents, Aunt Pat and Uncle Larry Perna.  In conversations, I shared that I may be buying a Bed & Breakfast in Conshohocken.  As I continued, my Aunt Pat (Opielski) Perna asked for the address.  I told her it is located on e 5^th avenue, and she proceeded to show me a picture of the house!  It was owned by her uncle , Ed Opielski until 2016 when it was sold to Joe and Carol Rutkowski.   

This venture allows me to take my 35+ years of experience at the intersection of property management and hospitality back to the local level, where it all started.  Going to work often meant a combination of planes, trains, ubers, black cars or cabs.  Most people take their show on the road, I have taken my road show back to the local level.

On the personal front, I come from a loud Italian family consisting of 5 brothers.. I am certain hangin out with these guys impacted my desire to find my voice and helped turn me into a leader, they definitely taught me resilience and tenacity.  It was truly , lead -follow or get “outta the way”…I ultimately chose to lead.

You mentioned the hospitality field, how did you end up there?

I worked from the age of 15 at Genuardi’s, for 9 years as a cashier, customer service associate and night MOD.  This was great flexible hours through a self-financed college;  then at the ripe young age of 23, I graduated and took a position as GM at a property in Norristown, with the Korman Company.  This led to a long and fruitful career.  In the mid 90’s we rebranded as KormanSuites and later to Korman Communities.  The last 20 years, 2003-2023 have been spent launching and scaling the brand AKA Hotels+Hotel Residences key MSAs :  Boston, NYC, PHL,DC, VA, Miami, West Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and London.  In anticipation of soft opening, we held a series of 4 “Test Kitchens”, open to close friends and family.  This is a common practice with new openings.  We will be collaborating with many of our friends, neighbors and industry colleagues.

I know you are getting out and about in Conshohocken, do you have a favorite restaurant? 

I have been enjoying ALL of them, and my philosophy with restaurants is an extension of my belief in the hospitality industry.  My long-standing belief is that we need a mosaic of talent and options to create a balanced, and wide array of experiences…..Nothing “menu driven” here.  The independent boutique feel of this wide array of dining options offered in a  one square mile radius, ties right into the one square mile CONSHY community that feels intimate  

You’re right, Conshohocken has such a vibrant restaurant scene that it is hard to pick just one. I know I’ll see you soon out and about in Conshohocken. I wish you the best of luck there. I think we both enjoy being a part of the community. Conshy is lucky to have this amazing Bed & Breakfast in our community.

We are committed to offering a respite from the everyday noise of life, while “loudly” focusing on “quiet” enjoyment.  You can be assured we will show up at your office, in the community parks , at association and industry events and find many ways to partner and promote with our neighbors.