Retired firefighter gives new life to old Lorain fire station

LORAIN — For every little boy and girl who has dreamed of being a firefighter, a former fire station and new Airbnb on Idaho Avenue and E Street can make that dream come true — at least for the night. Retired Strongsville firefighter Patrick Kinyon and his wife, Katelyn, purchased the former Lorain Fire Station 4, turning it into Firehouse 401 Airbnb, which officially opened last fall. "We have been landlords and we have been house flippers for six or seven years," Kinyon said. "At the peak of COVID, I had COVID and was quarantined away from my family at one of our houses. I was bored and driving around and saw the fire station. I wondered what was going on with it and called four or five people. I called at the right time." As it turned out, the station, which was built in 1919, was in auction and it ended the next day at noon. "I called my wife and she told me to bid higher," he recalled. "When we found out we got it, we were jumping up and down in our yard." The couple did not see inside before they made the purchase, and while it wasn't in great condition, it wasn't horrible, Kinyon said. "It was about what you'd expect of a 100-year-old building that had been bandaged over the years," he said. "We had a couple of ideas for what to do with it, then my wife came up with the Airbnb idea." The couple spent the next several months working on the project. "It's a mix of old and new in the firehouse," Katelyn said. "We gave all the walls fresh paint, put in new carpet and new ceiling in the bunk room, new flooring in the main living/dining room — which at times was also the chief's office in the past, so I've heard — and new tile in the bathroom and shower. Kitchen cabinets are the original, yet we jazzed them up by turning them red." There also was plumbing work, added laundry areas, new window glass and more. "We left the original blinds, original wooden doors, original trim and most fixtures are original," she said. "So far we've left the kitchen floor and countertops original, yet potentially we will replace them down the road. We have lots of phases of rehab planned. "We're currently waterproofing the basement — in between guests — and repairing an exterior wall of the bay. "What's nice about offering it on Airbnb is that in between guests, we're able to get in there and do a little bit more, making it even nicer for each visitor," Katelyn added. Firehouse 401 accommodates up to eight guests with three bedrooms, five beds and one bathroom. While the Airbnb opened last fall, during the winter months, it was home to a six-month renter, before opening up again in June. "Since then, we've had 15 guests and reached Superhost status," Kinyon said. "We've had quite a few fishermen, people on their way home from Cedar Point or just traveling through town, and we've had people interested in fire history." In August, Firehouse 401 will open its doors for an 80th birthday party for the wife of a retired Lorain firefighter who used to work at the station. Eventually, the couple hopes to open it up to small weddings and possibly a morning roll call for retired firefighters to gather and have coffee. "We're excited for people to see the station and enjoy it like we do," Kinyon said. "On the downside, I've made more beds than I've ever made in my life." Plenty of memorabilia makes the station a worthwhile destination, including a "watch office," makeshift pole, old Lorain fire photos, and additional antique memorabilia. "We have the cabinet stocked with games, toys and kids' dress up," Katelyn said. "We put out a firetruck tent when we know young kids will be visiting." Firehouse 401 is within walking distance of the Shipyards and Harborwalk area and Black River Landing. Located in a residential area, right next to a school, it's one block from Lake Erie and 5 minutes to Lakeview Beach. "Rockin' on the River is so close that you can enjoy listening to the live music on the front patio," Katelyn added. The Kinyons reside in Sheffield Lake and operate another Airbnb in Westpark. With two children of their own, ages 5 and 8, the firehouse is definitely a family favorite. "They love it," Kinyon said. "They were here while we were renovating it. It's just a really comfortable place. Our family has stayed there a bunch of times." Contact Christina Jolliffe at ctnews@chroniclet.com.