JJ Hornig. Photos: Chris Emeott
Rental company offers up two Plymouth properties for small stays, big events and everything in between.
Walking into the Garden Getaway on Ninth Avenue in Plymouth, it’s easy to feel instantly at home. The rambler is furnished in a color scheme of blue, white and gold. The kitchen is fully stocked with cutlery, crockery and appliances. The bathroom offers up toiletries, including toothpaste and body wash. There are vases with fresh flowers throughout the house and, on the kitchen counter, is a welcome gift with a card signed by the managing partner, JJ Hornig.
Roxy Rentals is the brainchild of Wayzata couple JJ and Hadley Hornig. A native New Yorker, JJ Hornig got her first taste of the business possibilities while renting out her downtown New York City apartment near the United Nations Headquarters. “I couldn’t even keep up with the inquiries because it was so new, and people would much rather stay in an apartment with additional amenities as opposed to a hotel,” she says.
Hornig put a pin in that experience but would revisit it with her husband when the couple moved to Minnesota at the tail end of 2019.
The Hornigs bought a property in northeast Minneapolis and set about remodeling. “I loved that process,” Hornig says. But, six months after the home was complete, the couple was ready to move to the suburbs. “And I was like, ‘Why don’t we explore one of these units as a short-term rental? Let’s just see what it is,” Hornig says.
Thus started a pattern that evolved into a full-fledged business, with the first Plymouth home on 12th Avenue, the Chic Retreat, joined shortly after by Ninth Avenue’s Garden Getaway in October 2022. From there, Roxy Rentals flourished, expanding to seven mid-term and short-term rental properties across two states.
During my stay at the Garden Getaway, I enjoyed a well-stocked bookcase, wall art that enhances the overall aesthetic and cozy entertainment setups throughout the house with easy access to streaming services.
Stay Awhile
Roxy Rentals guests take up temporary residence for a variety of reasons. “In Plymouth, a lot of people do [home] rehabs, so they need to stay within the school district,” Hornig says. “Or, they’re in between houses.”
Whether it’s an emergency renovation or carefully planned remodel, it’s hard to go an extended period without basic home amenities, including stocked kitchens and laundry rooms. “When families have to go to hotel rooms, it’s breaking up that family unit, so it’s really fun to be able to create that warm and safe environment where they feel like it’s literally their home away from home,” Hornig says.
With a background in experiential events and hospitality, Hornig is no stranger when it comes to building an experience. “We really punch up the decor vibe, especially with the Garden Getaway,” Hornig says, noting that the prior homeowner was known for her green thumb. “We hired a really awesome local landscaper to bring back those gardens and help us to really make it splashy for this coming spring and summer,” she says.
Aesthetics aside, both Plymouth properties also include family-friendly features, such as highchairs and kid cutlery.
When local families aren’t taking up temporary residency, both the Chic Retreat and Garden Getaway play host to a wide variety of other guests. “We get a lot of people, especially for the summer, that want to visit their families, but they don’t necessarily want to stay with their family,” Hornig says. “Obviously, we host a lot of wedding parties, too.”
The Chic Retreat offers options for work and play. A bold color palette energizes the home office space while a stocked bar makes it easy to entertain.
As the Hornigs built up their small business, they found a way to build up local businesses too through a digital guide, which guests receive access to during check-in. “We really push supporting local and small businesses in the area,” Hornig says. The digital guide highlights places to eat, activities and attractions in the surrounding area, including Wayzata, which is easily accessible from the home.
Roxy’s Rolodex
New amenities will roll out this year with Roxy Rentals’ online marketplace. Curated toward all things event-planning, the directory partners with local service providers for a long list of occasions. “If you want a private chef, we have that in our Rolodex. We can have them come to the house and cook you a meal,” Hornig says. “Do you need a hair and makeup team for your special event? We have that.”
The new marketplace will be a comprehensive resource for things that visitors need that they might otherwise have difficulty finding if they’re from out of town or state. “Those hospitality amenities will be added on,” Hornig says.
Roxy Rentals
Instagram: @roxyrentals
