Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Vicki McCauley and David Crinklaw are the new owners of the Deutsche Strasse Bed and Breakfast in New Ulm.

NEW ULM — The Deutsche Strasse Bed and Breakfast has been part of New Ulm for 20 years and, as far as new owners Vicki McCauley and David Crinklaw are concerned, it will continue to remain in New Ulm for years to come.

McCauley and Crinklaw officially purchased Deutsche Strasse B&B from Gary and Ramona Sonnenberg on Tuesday, Aug. 29. The couple began moving into their new home the same day. By Wednesday night, they already had had their first three guests.

Both McCauley and Crinklaw have said upfront they have no desire to make major changes in Deutsche Strasse because they find the home charming in its current condition.

“We told them the biggest thing was to keep their legacy going,” McCauley said. “They built it from scratch.”

Crinklaw said they might make minor changes to the business once they get adjusted, but it will not be anything drastic.

This is the first B&B run by McCauley and Crinklaw. The couple moved to New Ulm from a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. It has been a longtime dream of McCauley’s to run a B&B. After Crinklaw retired from the Air Force, they thought it was a chance to do something fun and different.

The couple stumbled across the Deutsche Strasse by accident. They were looking for available B&Bs and almost purchased one in Colorado, but that fell through. They saw a B&B was for sale in New Ulm. McCauley’s son lives in Ames, Iowa, and he agreed to tour Deutsche Strasse for them. After viewing the property he urged his mom to buy.

McCauley said her son sent several text messages in the week after he visited, asking if she had made an offer yet.

They did make an offer based on this recommendation which was accepted. McCauley and Crinklaw had not viewed the property before making the purchase, but agree it is a wonderful house. They have even come to love New Ulm.

“I’ve lived in smaller cities in Colorado and Arizona and they don’t have nearly the amenities that they have here,” Crinklaw said. “New Ulm is a very nice town.”

McCauley agreed, “Every place we’ve gone, everyone has welcomed us.”

McCauley and Crinklaw are still trying to adjust to the move. Their furniture is still being moved into the house. Fortunately, the Sonnenbergs left some items in the house including their grand piano. The Sonnenbergs wanted to leave the B&B as a turnkey operation.

Reservations made before the property sale will be honored by McCauley and Crinklaw.

The couple is working, preparing for their busy season. They were warned in advance that Oktoberfest and Fasching bring in the crowds and that they should prepare for zero vacancies during festivals.

Deutsche Strasse is located at 404 S. German St. The B&B has five guest rooms, each with their own bathrooms. 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 did such a nice job of keeping this home together,” Crinklaw said. They have a desire to match the great reputation Gary and Ramona created. “We’ve got some big shoes to fill.”

McCauley said they received wonderful coaching from the Sonnenbergs before talking over the B&B. Before turning over the keys to the house the Sonnenbergs mentored the couple and gave them advice on how to run the place.