Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:41:00

Buffalo Girls Hotel offers a step back into the Old West

Donna Limberger, Staff Writer

Buffalo Girls Hotel owner Susan Matassa plays with Wildthing, a 3 year old buffalo, that recently visited the annual CASI chili cook-off at the Buffalo Girls Hotel located on The Mountain of the First Monday Grounds. For more information on The Buffalo Girls Hotel, visit their website at www.buffalogirlshotel.com (courtesy photo)

Shoppers at First Monday Trade Days can step back into the old west when staying at the Buffalo Girls Hotel Bed and Breakfast located at the base of "The Mountain".

The Mountain is located next to Old Mill Marketplace on Hwy 64.

Buffalo Girls offers unique western, antique, southwest and Texas furnishings to make each of the guest rooms different.

"We began in 1995 as vendor rentals and eventually added bathrooms and unique furnishings to make each room special," said owner Susan Matassa.

"We named most of the rooms after characters in the movie ‘Buffalo Girls’ and offered them to the shoppers of Canton," said Matassa.

Matassa said that was done after shoppers repeatedly said "We can’t see it all in one day".

"Basically, I turned my rental rooms into bedrooms after putting private baths in each unit, in 1998. I started in the spring of 1995 after reading about Wild Willie’s Mountain in the Canton Guide," said Matassa.

Matassa said that she had hoped that The Mountain would become another Branson, but many obstacles and a hard road changed the direction of the establishment.

"We decided to keep shoppers here in our bed and breakfasts. They have time to see everything during the day and can shop until 10 p.m. or later here on The Mountain," said Matassa.

Matassa said shoppers can also see entertainment, cowboy shootouts, and shops of all kinds.

"Our CASI chili cook-off, held each April, also brings a whole new crowd to Canton that would not normally attend," said Matassa.

The cook-off benefits a local charity each year with the 2008 cook-off benefiting C.L.A.W.

"Next year will be our 10th anniversary for the cook-off and after raising just under $10,000 this year, we feel next year will be a great turnout. We think it will bring so many people, that we are now looking for a new place to set up next year," said Matassa.

"We have outgrown our area here at Buffalo Girls for the cook-off, so we hope to move where we will get more exposure for our charity," said Matassa.

For more information about The Buffalo Girls Hotel or the annual CASI chili cook-off, visit their website at www.buffalogirlshotel.com