As you walk or drive down E. Second Street in downtown Clayton, North Carolina, you might think the white Victorian home marked “507” is simply a beautifully restored 1895 single-family residence. But you’re actually invited to step inside. Welcome to The Magnolia Inn , a seven-room bed-and-breakfast with a heartwarming mission—as well as blueberry waffles and afternoon tea service you won’t soon forget.
Ahead, score a tour and a quick history lesson about the inn from founder and owner Jordan Robinson. Then stick around to learn more about how your stay could help fund a weekend away for a hardworking caregiver.
About Magnolia Inn
Robinson admits she’s not a veteran of the hotel industry. However, she is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. After growing up in Greenville, South Carolina , she enlisted with the Marines, eventually serving as Embassy Security Guard in Mozambique, Austria, and Cuba.
“That experience shaped my understanding of service; showing up for others, often quietly, and with intention,” Robinson tells Southern Living .
After working in federal communications with the Department of State, FEMA, and DHS, Robinson’s heart for hospitality brought her back to the Carolinas—this time, to Clayton (population: 31,732), where she purchased a historic Queen Anne Victorian.
“The home was modified into a bed-and-breakfast in the late 1990s. When I purchased it, I envisioned something more: a sanctuary. A place where you could step inside and feel transported to another time. I often say, ‘ leave your worries at the door, ’ and I truly mean it,” Robinson says.
The first time she walked into the home, she did just that: “I felt an immediate sense of awe and enchantment and thought about all the generations who had walked those halls, from the days of dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages to the growth of this mill town.”
After restoring the 130-year-old building, she began hosting guests in the seven guest rooms (each with its own bathroom and personality) at the newly opened Magnolia Inn in February 2025.
“I’ve always been resourceful, and that mindset has carried through here with our renovations,” Robinson says, pointing to her ability to change light fixtures, replace toilets, and tile shower walls. “The result is a romantic Southern estate that feels both elegant and inviting. It’s layered with antique furnishings , art, and thoughtful details that make it feel collected over time. You won’t find anything mass-produced here.”
That includes the afternoon tea service, inspired by Robinson’s husband who is English, and their homemade, cooked-to-order breakfasts, included with each stay. If you book a room, you might be asked to select between a traditional English breakfast, smoked salmon bagel, or blueberry waffle. (Do we have to choose?)
“Our guests range from travelers looking for a slower pace to couples and families celebrating special moments. We also host full-inn bookings, which create such a special energy. There’s something beautiful about a house full of people who feel connected and present,” Robinson says.
The Magnolia Inn really buzzes with warmth—as well as music—on nights they host free candlelight concerts, which are open to guests and the public.
The Heartwarming Cause You Can Help Support By Staying At Magnolia Inn
Four times each year, The Magnolia Inn blocks off a weekend in their schedule for a very heartwarming reason. The weekends are planned in partnership with A Mother’s Rest , a non-profit organization that coordinates low-cost trips and retreats for caregivers or parents of children or adults with varying needs. This has been woven into the fabric of The Magnolia Inn since day one, Robinson says.
“Through their Premier Porch Partner program, we host four respite weekends each year for caregivers . These are people who spend so much of their time caring for others, often without a break themselves,” Robinson says. “Having spent much of my life in service—both in the military and in my career—this partnership feels deeply aligned with my values. I believe rest is not a luxury; it’s essential. Creating a space where caregivers can step away and be cared for, even briefly, is a small but meaningful way to give back.”
Regardless of whether these special guests are staying in the fit-for-royalty Regency Room or the Seaside Retreat that exudes relaxed coastal energy, Robinson takes extra joy in giving them the VIP treatment. And after doing so, she tells us that the only reward can be found in the faces and shoulders of those who participate.
“I’ve had guests share that it was the first time in years they slept through the night uninterrupted. Others leave having formed new friendships after long conversations on the porch and shared meals in the dining room,” she explains. “Folks arrive carrying a quiet kind of exhaustion. By the end, there’s a noticeable shift, with more laughter and more ease.”
Of course, donating directly to A Mother’s Rest and their Porch Partner Program (which also has partners in Florida and Tennessee) is a powerful way to support the mission. But you can also chip in by staying at The Magnolia Inn, Robinson confirms. Each booking supports the overall financials that make it possible to host these restorative weekends for caregivers.
Read the original article on Southern Living
