Chez Amis Historic Annapolis Inn

About the Inn

The original property that is now Chez Amis was set aside in 1696 for Governor Nicholson who intended to use the property for a garden , vineyard and site of a summer house. But apparently that never happened!   Prior being an Inn, the property was operated as Sam's Brothers Groceries store in the early 1900’s through 1970’s, serving the East and Fleet Streets neighborhood for fifty years.  The original circa 1885-1891 architecture is represented in the interior stair ornamented with square balusters. The original “Sterer” store cabinets that housed the store dry goods greets you upon entering. The ceiling in the common area is covered by pressed tin in a geometric floral design with egg and dart cornice molding. The reception and common area also retain the original wood floors edged with replacement baseboards with a beaded cap. George Sams died in the 1990’s and it has since been a bed and breakfast.

The name ‘Chez Amis’, given by the first inn owners, is a French expression, suggesting 'house of friends’. We are committed to continuing that spirit of friendship as the new owners.

About Innkeepers Joe and Elly Tierney

We began our inn pursuit while vacationing frequently on Cape Cod, always staying at a Bed & Breakfast.  We were given welcomed advice from an innkeeper in Yarmouthport that said, ‘don’t do as I did’. Rather, ‘inn-sit’, take innkeeping seminars and learn as much as you can before creating your own place. We heeded her advice. I got a little obsessive along the way planning and chatting about napkin folds and recipes and all the ‘fun stuff’.  During my 3 years of ‘part time inn sitting’ we fell upon Chez Amis in Annapolis, MD. As luck would have it, the owners were in need of loving caretakers of their Inn which they ran for 17 years, and it was for sale.  It was an ideal time in our lives to buy this inn, as our wonderful children are almost all through college and starting careers of their own.

We live here in the lower level owners quarters with Maggie, our dog, who is six. She is occasionally allowed to visit the guests ‘on probation’ as she is sometimes overly friendly with licking and tail wagging. Guests are told to ignore her!