Carleton Motel and Coffee Shop was built in 1961 by Bannie and Freda Coughlin consisting of only 6 units. The motel was meant to be a stop over location for travellers waiting to cross the Northumberland Strait by Marine Atlantic car ferries. Because of growing demand for units, another 6 units were added in 1963. By 1971 the Coughlins realized that the tourism industry was steadly growing and decided to add another 12 units designed for the travelling families. These units were set up as 6 housekeeping units on the front of the motel and another 6 units connected to the back of the new front units thereby creating a 6 family suites if needed or 12 regular overnight units. Also added in 1971 was a coffee shop, serving full breakfasts and light lunches with home cooking the order of the day.
1981 the Coughins decided to retire, and over the next 16 years the motel changed hands 3 times, until the last owners operated the motel as a bunk house for the Confederation Bridge construction workers. The bridge opened on June 1, 1997 and the motel was no longer being used for construction workers and was eventually closed for that summer. Bannie and Freda's son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Sandra Coughlin, saw the potential that this property had in serving the travelling public and bought and restored the community landmark.
Restaurant sales flourished and it was decided to expand the coffee shop by taking one of the units for this purpose. There was also interest in the tanning bed industry, so another unit was converted for this purpose.
Today the business is set up as a 22 unit complex, which has 5 housekeeping/efficiency units and 17 regular over night units, as well as a 32 seat restaurant still offering home cooked breakfasts, and light meals.
In 2014, Motel was sold to Jaffrey's family.Jaffrey and their staff pride themselves on taking excellent care of their guests and making them feel at home from the first moment they step into the motel .
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