December 5, 2025
Welcome to The Parrish Grove Inn: A Dream Years in the Making
Hello and welcome to the very first chapter of The Parrish Grove Inn.
If you’re reading this, you’re catching us at a beautiful moment—somewhere between restoration and rebirth, between construction dust and big dreams, and right at the beginning of a story I’ve been hoping to tell for years.
My name is Kristi Everingham, and I’m the owner of The Parrish Grove Inn. This project isn’t just about renovating a historic home—it’s about honoring a legacy, building a community hub, and creating a place where stories can be made and shared for generations to come.
Why This House? Why Now?
Before The Parrish Grove Inn was an idea, it was simply a home that captured my heart.
For years, I admired 536 Delannoy Avenue from afar—the charm, the architecture, the “old bones” that only a historic home can carry. Its history is remarkable: a home brought down the river on a barge, lovingly cared for by generations of the Parrish family, and even operated as an inn by the same name that once added warmth and character to Cocoa Village.
When the opportunity came to purchase it, I wrote a letter to the owner explaining exactly why I felt drawn to the property. I told him that Cocoa Village—one of the most vibrant destinations in Brevard County with its tree-lined streets, boutique shops, waterfront park, and constant calendar of events—was missing one thing: a place where people could stay, rest, and extend the magic of the Village beyond the day.
That’s where my vision began:
→ Restore its grandeur
→ Relaunch The Parrish Grove Inn
→ Bring it back to life as a place that serves travelers and locals alike
A place for weekend brunches, milestone celebrations, weddings on teh back deck, baby showers, anniversaries, and quiet mornings before exploring Cocoa Village. A place rooted in history, but updated with the kind of comfort people crave today.
Who I Am
On a personal level, I’m a single mom of five amazing daughters—aged 22 to 14—who inspire me every day. For the last 25 years, I’ve worked in the global tech industry, leading teams across Sales, Marketing, and Operations. I’m currently full-time at ServiceNow, where I’ve been happily juggling corporate life during the day and renovation life every other waking moment.
I’ve also spent years investing in the community I love. I co-founded Community Advocacy for Merritt Island (CAMI), a nonprofit focused on arts, beautification, conservation, and civic education in Merritt Island. I’ve hosted events for years at my own home on the river and have always found joy in bringing people together. Travel, good food, great conversations, shared experiences—that’s what my friends and family thrive on, and it’s the spirit I’m pouring into this inn.
The Team Behind the Dream
None of this would be possible without an incredible group of people who have believed in this vision from day one.
- Bonny Belle Weido: General Manager – The general contractor, master planner, heartbeat of guest experience and day-to-day magic.
- Michael Penna: Inn Caretaker – A true renaissance man, our boots-on-the-ground hero for maintenance, repairs, and the delicate craft of caring for a 100-year-old home.
- Leslie Sims: Bookkeeper – The ‘what would we have done without,’ steady hands keeping us financially organized and sane.
- Hannah Everingham: Social Media Manager – My daughter and our in-house (long distant!) creative voice, capturing the story with her good taste.
- And the countless vendors, contractors, artisans, and specialists whose fingerprints can be found on every wall, tile, and restored detail.
Clearly this isn’t a solo journey—it’s a shared passion project supported by a small but mighty team who love this house as much as I do.
What Comes Next
We are coming to the end of renovations, peeling back layers, restoring details, and creating new spaces that honor the past while celebrating the future. Soon, The Parrish Grove Inn will open its doors for overnight stays, weekend brunches, intimate weddings, and all the celebrations that make life sweet.
This blog will follow the journey—behind-the-scenes progress, historic finds, renovation surprises, community stories, and eventually, the moments we get to share with all of you once guests begin to arrive.
Thank you for being here at the start.
Thank you for believing in this dream with me.
And welcome to The Parrish Grove Inn—where history meets hospitality, and where we can’t wait to welcome you!