Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Gary and Ramona Sonnenberg are retiring and selling their business Deutsche Strasse Bed and Breakfast.

NEW ULM — The Deutsche Strasse Bed and Breakfast was owned and operated by Gary and Ramona Sonnenberg for the last 20 years. It was the first bed and breakfast in New Ulm.

As of Tuesday, the Sonnenbergs are selling their business to a new couple.

Deutsche Strasse will retain the same name but the Sonnenbergs have retired. Monday was their last full day as owners, and the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce held a special celebration to congratulate them on their retirement and recognize all they have done for New Ulm and area tourism.

Deutsche Strasse is the first bed and breakfast to open in New Ulm. Gary said the city had to write a new ordinance for them to open the business.

The idea to start a B&B in New Ulm goes back to when the Sonnenbergs first came to New Ulm. Gary was working for Martin Luther College and the couple was house hunting. Ramona said they saw many nice buildings and the idea for a B&B came naturally.

Mayor Robert Beussman read a proclamation dedicating Monday, Aug. 28, as Gary and Ramona Sonnenberg Day. In addition to their 20 years with Deutsche Strasse, the couple was recognized for their work with tourism and business. Gary worked on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Ramona served as chair of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

The B&B has helped introduce new people to New Ulm. In 2014, the B&B received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and was selected as Best Historic B&B in Minnesota by the The Officially Best Of production company. Deutsche Strasse was featured on the Discovery Channel for the achievement.

The Sonnenbergs said they will miss running the Deutsche Strasse but feel it is time to do something different. They have bought a condo in Waterville, where they plan to relax and enjoy retirement.

The new owners of the B&B are Vicki McCauley and David Crinklaw from Arizona. They intend to keep the name Deutsche Strasse and run the B&B the same way.

“I told the new people at least six times the chamber is your best friend,” Gary said. “It has been our best friend. Without it, we would not have lasted 20 years.”