Downtown Landmark to Become an Inn

Trevor Kupfer |

    The downtown Eau Claire landmark commonly known as “the mural building” will reopen about a year from now as a fancy hotel called Eau Claire River Inn according to John and Sharyn Moss, the couple opening the establishment. The 2 South Barstow St. building has been unoccupied for about a decade, and the Redevelopment Authority has received several proposals for its future. On March 25 it decided to go with John and Sharyn Moss’ plan, which calls for renting out the first floor for commercial use and using the second and some of the third floor for the inn. The remainder of the third floor will be kept for the Moss family to reside. The initial investment alone will be at least $1.2 million for the riverfront property. If the plan works, rooms will over sweeping views of Phoenix Park and the Eau Claire River.