THE HONEY PITT

 Owning and managing an Airbnb property brings on a variety of challenges.

And sometimes that includes resisting the urge to keep it all to yourself.

“Honestly, one of the hardest parts is not blocking off every weekend for ourselves,” Megan Sorell said.

Megan and her husband Ryan are the new owners of The Honey Pitt, an expansive, beautifully-situated property in Southeast Pittsburg. And while bees play a huge part in this story, so too do gorillas. 

The Sorells, both Pittsburg State graduates, purchased the property from two couples who were the previous co-owners: Jeremy and Kyla Filer, and Nicole and Zac Dickey. 

Ryan Sorell, a local physician, said it was the personal connection with the previous owners that made buying the property possible and appealing.

“Jeremy and I played baseball together at Pitt State,” he said. “When the Filers decided to refocus on other projects, Jeremy reached out about our interest in The Honey Pitt. We spent some time out here, our family loved it, and we shared the same passion and vision for what they saw it turning into.

“With that personal relationship and shared vision, we felt it was the right move to be next in line to hopefully carry forward what they started here.”

The property today is a little slice of Midwestern paradise. With four bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, it comfortably sleeps 12 guests. There’s a full living room, kitchen, and pretty much anything you’d need to enjoy yourself inside. 

But the outdoor space is really where it shines. We’re talking a mile-long strip pit for outdoor adventures, scenic views, excellent bass, catfish, and crappie fishing, and it’s perfect for kayaking, paddle boards, and non-motorized boats.

There’s also 200 feet of private shoreline along the serene water and waterside fire pit for cozy gatherings.

Jeremy and Kyla led the renovation and development of the rental property. They live in Colorado, however, and said it made the most sense to hand the keys to their friends who live in Pittsburg.

“The Sorells have been close friends for years and when we began talks about them taking it over, it was a no brainer,” Jeremy said. They share the same passion that my wife Kyla and the Dickeys do for the region and property but can give it an extra dose of love that I never could being that they live in town.”

Before it was The Honey Pitt, the property was a working honey bee farm. (Hence, the name.) To make the tale even sweeter, the Filers discovered active beehives during the renovation process. 

Knowing his former PSU baseball coach, Steve Bever, has some experience working with bees, Jeremy called Bever to assist with the beehives. Those bees were moved to Bever’s farm and still produce honey that is used at The Honey Pitt.

“Every guest who stays here gets a jar of that honey,” Megan said. “It’s such a fun little feature of the experience here, especially since it’s part of its history.”

Zac and Nicole, also former PSU student-athletes, were partners with the Filers during development of the property. Zac said it’s been an “absolute joy” to be part of the project.

“Jeremy and Kyla’s passion for real estate, and specifically real estate that lends itself to the natural environment, is undeniable,” he said. “They conceptualize potential by tapping into a creative side that I think we all wish we had. Anyone who knows them knows their motivation is derived out of genuinely caring about the properties and places they invest in. 

“What excites us in Ryan and Megan perpetuating this property is not only their commitment to serving the area with a great product, but their desire and ability to take it beyond what it already is. I can’t wait to see what they are able to create with The Honey Pitt.”

While the Airbnb property, with all of its space and amenities, is the main draw, the true spirit of this project has been the love for this community and the university.

“We want people to love staying here,” Ryan said, “but we also want them to enjoy being in Pittsburg and appreciate how special it is here. There is a responsibility to represent the community well and make an impression on people.”

Zac agreed.

“I think our mutual love for Pittsburg and the university is what made this project so fun for us,” he said. 

Jeremy said the main reason he began this journey was to give back to the Pittsburg community.

“The Honey Pitt was built to give the community an option to blend a gathering space with outdoor recreation,” he said.

The Honey Pitt is one of many new additions to the community in the last 5-7 years, and Ryan said the ongoing progress in town is what convinced his family to move back here after medical school.

“When you see what’s happening here and see the community’s excitement,” he said, “it gets you excited. It makes you ask yourself how you can be part of it and help it grow. This town cares, the people care, and that’s not the case everywhere. 

“We want people who come to town to stay here walking away with the feeling that this is a cool little town and wanting to come back.”

Check it out on Airbnb!