When Jay Grant left his long career in golf course management behind, he wasn’t chasing a retirement plan or following a roadmap – he was responding to a feeling. That feeling led him and his wife from Brampton, Ontario, to the quiet riverside town of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, where they took a leap of faith and bought a piece of local history: Riverview Cottages. Relocation was only the beginning; reinvention followed. This is the story of how Riverview Cottages found new life without losing its soul – and why guests who came as kids now return with grandkids in tow.
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Jay Grant never planned to run a cottage business in Nova Scotia. A longtime golf course superintendent from Brampton, Ontario, Jay spent over 25 years maintaining greens before shifting into a regional maintenance role for a golf developer, overseeing six courses across the province. But after years spent commuting on Highway 401 – one of Canada’s busiest highways- and growing tired of city life, he and his wife started quietly exploring a change.
“A friend of ours was just casually looking at properties online, and she found Riverview Cottages. She didn’t tell us it was in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia.”
Curious but cautious, Jay flew east to see the property for himself. “I met the real estate agent, toured the property for about two hours. My wife couldn’t come, so she was basing it on my opinion,” he said. A month later, they put in an offer – conditional on selling their Ontario home – and officially took over Riverview Cottages in August 2017, just in time for the town’s busiest weekend: the annual gem and mineral show in Parrsboro.
Thrown immediately into the deep end, Jay and his wife learned the business quickly. “The previous owners trained us for a few days, showing us around and getting us used to the procedures,” he said. “But after that, it was really just trial and error.” Jay took on maintenance – plumbing, electrical, and carpentry – while his wife handled housekeeping and shared front office duties. “We were both very shy people before this. That kind of brought us out of our shell.”
Originally opened in 1939, Riverview Cottages is a cherished piece of Parrsboro history. The property sits along the banks of the tidal river just minutes from downtown and offers a peaceful blend of comfort and rustic simplicity. Spread out over more than 14 acres, the 18 standalone cottages range from single-room, overnight-style units to larger, multi-room family cabins equipped with kitchenettes.
“We’ve got four smaller cottages… more or less overnight cottages,” Jay explained. “Then we move up to bigger ones with kitchenettes. Some sleep up to five people.”
While he and his wife were committed to preserving the property’s vintage charm, updates were inevitable. “We want to keep the rustic style, but we had to modernize,” he said. “We replaced all the old refrigerators with new energy-efficient ones, switched all the lighting to LED, added some kitchenettes, and updated plumbing fixtures.”
One of the first major upgrades was Wi-Fi. “We spent quite a bit of money investing in our Wi-Fi,” Jay noted. “We knew people would want it. But we won’t ever have TVs. A lot of people come here specifically to shut down.”
Unlike a hotel, where guests pass in and out anonymously, Riverview fosters an environment that feels personal. Each cabin is spaced out for privacy and nestled in nature. Families can spread out across the lawn, walk their dogs on a wooded trail, or gather around one of the two community firepits in the evening. “We encourage people to bring guitars,” Jay said. “We’ve had quite a few singalongs. And if you want to socialize, go to one firepit. If not, go to the other.”
Onsite activities include lawn games, horseshoe pits, badminton, and a playground. Inside the cabins, visitors will find board games and a small library. “My son actually carved out the walking trail himself,” Jay added. “There’s a lot to see in those woods.”
The property is pet-friendly and open seasonally, typically from early April through the end of October. “We’re flexible with our opening and closing dates. It all depends on the weather,” he said. “We usually open up the insulated cottages first.”
Though many guests return for the quiet, family-focused stays, Riverview Cottages has also grown into a destination for group getaways. “We try to be very group-oriented,” Jay said. “Weddings, family reunions, ATV groups – we get a lot of them.”
Weddings in particular have become a regular feature at the cottages. “It’s a great place for a rustic wedding. We encourage them to rent the whole facility. That way, the guests don’t disturb others, and they have the place to themselves,” he said.
Jay also sponsors a local ATV group and regularly partners with a local tour guide. “We get big groups of riders who rent out the whole place. They go on tours during the day and relax here at night. That’s been very popular.”
He’s extended discounts to local organizations, including students attending painting workshops at Parrsboro’s Art Lab, and performers at the Ship’s Company Theatre. Seniors and first responders are also eligible for reduced rates.
It didn’t take long for Jay to notice something special: Riverview Cottages wasn’t just a summer spot – it was woven into people’s lives. Guests who stayed there as children were now returning with their own grandchildren.
“We’ve had people that have stayed here when they were little kids and now they’re in their seventies and eighties, and they still keep coming back,” he said. “They would call me up to book a cottage, and they expect me to remember them. Now I do! I even recognize voices on the phone.”
The connection between Riverview and the community of Parrsboro is equally strong. Jay points guests toward local restaurants, shops, and attractions – including the geological museum, nearby beaches, and the Glooscap Trail scenic drive. “We all try to support each other in town,” he said. “If we’re full, I’ll recommend another local spot to make sure guests are taken care of.”
The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened this sense of community. “When the travel restrictions eased, we were very popular,” Jay said. “People wanted to stay in their own space. We had a huge amount of repeat guests after that.”
Unlike many small tourism businesses, Riverview Cottages doesn’t have ambitions to scale up or franchise. Jay and his wife are more focused on listening to guest feedback and evolving the space intentionally. “We’re not chasing something bigger. We just want to keep making it better. One cottage, one stay, one guest at a time.”
That doesn’t mean there’s no vision for the future. “We’re not adding any more cottages, but we are thinking about tenting and RV spots,” Jay said. “We’ve noticed a huge change since COVID. A lot more RVs, a lot more trailers. They need places to stay.” He’s already started clearing some land at the back of the property in case the demand continues.
Like every decision he’s made since 2017, it comes down to being prepared – and that’s exactly what he urges others to be if they’re thinking of making a similar move in another province.
“Do your research before you move out,” he said. “Find out what’s required to start a business. Make sure you register properly. And get a good lawyer – especially when you’re moving province to province.”
And then there’s the practical side. “Don’t bring everything,” he added with a laugh. “We packed up our whole house, the garage, everything. We ended up not even looking at 90% of the stuff we brought. We should have just rented a dumpster before we moved!”
Transitioning from golf course turf management to running a guest-focused seasonal business has changed how Jay sees his work – and his days. “I figured with my background, I could do pretty much every job needed here,” he said. “Plumbing, electrical, carpentry – and here we are!”
While there’s no shortage of tasks to handle – especially in the lead-up to each season’s opening – Jay says the rewards come from watching families arrive, unwind, and create memories.
“We’re seeing new faces every season, but also the same ones, year after year. That’s what keeps us going,” he said. “People call and say they want the same cottage, the same week, every summer. And now I remember who they are!”
What started as a real estate listing seen by chance has become a full-time way of life. Jay’s not looking back – only ahead to the next small project, the next returning guest, the next firepit evening filled with stories and laughter.
“It’s a physical job. Some days are harder than others,” he said. “But it’s ours. And when people leave and say they can’t wait to come back – that’s the best feeling in the world.”
by Lauren Reid