Local couple creates homes-away-fromhome for visitors

Deneen Urbanek and husband Bob Laubengayer have enjoyed traveling together for years, sometimes enjoying the personal touch an Airbnb rental could provide. When the two Ellsworth natives moved back to their hometown from Florida in June 2021, little did they know they would eventually be providing the comforts of home for travelers to the area.

The couple recently purchased two homes in Ellsworth and spent November getting them ready, with all the amenities a traveler might need — complete with local flair — and they are now listed and ready to rent on www.airbnb.com.

The homes are located on Blake Street across the street from Preisker Park. The cozy cottage at 306 Blake St. is a 1-bedroom, 1-bath home, and next door, at 304 Blake St., sits a 4-bedroom, 2-bath home. Both were previously owned by Charles and Marilyn Huslig, Ellsworth.

“Our relationships with friends and family, as well as the draw to small-town living, pulled us back to our hometown roots, and it has really been a wonderful experience,” Urbanek said in an interview by email. “From the time we moved back, we noticed the need for lodging in Ellsworth, in addition to the local motel.

“We began looking for an appropriate property that we could put our stamp on and use for not only short-term rentals, but also for our large, extended family and friends who visit often. We have received excellent feedback from families who stayed in the homes during Thanksgiving week.”

Urbanek and Laubengayer, along with granddaughter Arianna Osburn, moved back to Ellsworth after Urbanek’s father, Don Urbanek, died in 2020 and they purchased his home west of town.

“Our expectations were high, and we knew we could offer a wonderful experience to travelers near and far,” Urbanek said. “Several ways that we are different than other shortterm rentals are that, as a courtesy, we offer our guests grocery shopping, so you can arrive and enjoy it without having to worry about going to the grocery store. Should our guests have a special event, we are happy to provide floral bouquets, specialty foods, gifts or entertainment, for a fee. It is our goal to give our guests a total experience and accommodate their needs to the fullest.”

In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, two cashstrapped residents of San Francisco, needed to make a quick buck to pay their rent. It just so happened that a large conference was in town, and vacancies in hotels were few and far between. The roommates offered up their home to conference attendees, complete with three air mattresses, breakfast, Wi-Fi and a desk to work at. They called it Air Bed and Breakfast. Now they, along with a third cofounder, Nathan Blecharczyk, are the owners of a multi-billion-dollar company, according to Forbes.

Airbnb is a peer-to-peer online marketplace that connects renters with listings. The Blake Street homes are now among 5.6 million active listings worldwide on Airbnb in 100,000 cities in 220 countries and regions.

Urbanek and Laubengayer have had previous experiences with Airbnb, having stayed in a number of short-term rentals, and Urbanek also assisted her in-laws in preparing their Airbnb in Daytona Beach, Fla. This helped her in knowing which amenities would make the Blake Street properties into homesaway- from-home. Quality towels and bedding accompany high speed internet, an office area, TV/lounge areas, fullystocked kitchens, outdoor seating areas and a storm shelter.

“The décor focuses on a Kansas theme, with all artwork and photographs being curated from local and small business artists,” Urbanek said. “It was very important to us that we support our local businesses while readying both homes for use. Home Lumber, Nemnich True Value, Alamo Specialties, Raised Rustic, Thompson’s Handmade Country, Robson’s Card & Gift, The Petal Place, Seitz Drug, H&B Communications, Ideal Real Estate and Gene’s Heartland Foods helped make this dream a reality.”

Both locations will be open for the public to view at an open house from 1-6 p.m. Dec. 17. Tours can also be booked by calling (785) 4728780, or by emailing Urbanek at djurbanek@outlook.com.

“From the purchase of our homes to refreshing and furnishing them, it has been a fantastic adventure. I enjoy seeing a property transformed into something new and different than it was previously,” Urbanek said. “We have had so much interest and people were ready to book long before we were ready to do so. That’s a great thing!

“Additionally, we continue to receive inquiries regarding hosting parties, meetings, retreats, class reunions and more; all are welcome ideas and events. We want these houses to be used and loved. It is our goal that when our guests check out, they are already planning their return stay to Ellsworth. We hope that they feel our home and additional services gave them the best experience ever.”