The Local Tourist
Mary Beard Grodsky
Speak to any native Iuka resident who “grew up” on the lake and you’ll learn that usually means Eastport. For people seeking the quieter side of the lake, Eastport is usually the destination. With a good mix of permanent residents along with vacation dwellers, generations of people have enjoyed the lake homes here. But, with its longevity comes a need for some revitalization and that long anticipated moment will be this year, right in time for the start of lake season. The renovated Eastport Marina will soon open its doors with a new restaurant, larger seating, and more marina services, just to name a few.
The Casabella Family, known mostly for their furniture business for decades, has set their focus on the Eastport Marina and housing renovations along the water. With a focus on short term rentals, the family has rental properties scattered throughout the Eastport area, along with the recent acquisition of the marina. The marina purchase came with the marina itself, two fishing cabins, both wet and dry slips, the fuel dock, and a local restaurant/shop.
Several Eastport homes belong to members of the family that can be rented short term. The two fishing cabins that came with the marina have been around for decades and continue to have repeat visitors, with over 70% of guests coming back for a return stay. The family’s main home is also available to rent, but is so impressive, it deserves a full feature in the next edition of the Airbnb series. But don’t worry if your tastes are somewhere in between rustic fishing cabin and an MTV Cribs level home. Your next overnight stay can be at any of their other properties nearby the marina that are sure to suit your needs.
Three other homes in their Eastport Airbnb portfolio have something for everyone: Don’s Lake House, Little MS Sunshine, and Ray’s Retreat. All three include sweeping views of the water, along with their own boat slips. And with all of them being in close proximity, they can also accommodate overflow for multiple friends and families. Being a short distance from the marina with the ability to rent a boat if needed makes this a wise strategic play in the short term rental market.
Don’s Lake House features three bedrooms with accommodations to sleep up to 10. With panoramic views of the lake, you can experience an incredible view whether grilling outside or watching TV from the comfort of the spacious living room. This multi-level home features a bedroom on each floor, maximizing space and maintaining privacy. Guest reviews rave about the peaceful location and well-appointed kitchen.
With the highly desirable double decker dock, Little MS Sunshine offers the unique opportunity to park your boat in the shade, but still soak up the sun from the upper level of the deck. While technically just one bedroom, this home has five beds with the ability to sleep up to six. This is the perfect place for a larger family or someone coming to visit with their children’s friends in tow.
Nestled in the trees, you’ll find Ray’s Retreat. This is the “brother property” to Don’s Lake House next door. While right around the corner from the marina, you’ll find peace and privacy here in this quaint property. With two bedrooms and two bathrooms and the ability to sleep seven, this is an ideal stay for two families visiting the lake.
With years of Airbnb experience, the focus is now on Eastport Marina and the upcoming enhancements. After a full 2022 summer season of ownership, they figured out what worked and what needed to be revised with the marina. A soft opening of the new restaurant and marina renovations will occur prior to this Memorial Day weekend. And while further details will be forthcoming closer to the opening, go ahead and prepare to pull up your boat to one of the guest slips at Eastport because you’ll want to see (and taste) the expansion and renovation of the restaurant.
