Innkeepers John and Tina Hough are going through more than two decades of memories as they prepare to depart the Gem State for the Lone Star State.

"You don't have that much stuff until you put your life in a box," Tina said as she and John rummaged through a basement closet.

After nearly 22 years in business and living in the apartment in the top of the old schoolhouse, the Houghs have sold the historic Roosevelt Inn for $3 million, just a hair less than the original asking price of $3.1 million.

"We’re very happy with that," Tina said. "We definitely helped secure our future, and it will help some of our dreams come true."

The offer was accepted Dec. 28, but the Houghs needed time to communicate with guests before the announcement was made public. Their last day at the Roosevelt is March 22. They'll be signing the final paperwork March 23.

Tina said three people made the purchase to use the inn as a business, including Heather Cole, who has worked in real estate and hospitality and has family in Spokane.

"She does have experience in the industry," Tina said. "She’s not a novice to the life."

Tina said she and John are ready to "pass the torch" to someone who has more enthusiasm and sees the next vision of what the Roosevelt can become.

"We took this building and we feel we really created a business here, and it has done really well," Tina said. "We’re excited for this old girl to have another shot in the arm of energy and keep it going and thriving."

Having been born in Coeur d'Alene and a student in Roosevelt School, John said "this has an attachment for me," as he looked over framed photos and other findings in the basement storage.

"But at the same time, 22 years at one job, owning our own business and running it ourselves," he said, "it's time for retirement."

Both expressed how much they'll miss the people they've gotten to know through the years: the newlyweds, the FBI agent who became a close friend after an extended stay, the many visitors who returned year after year.

Two guests who became friends are Linda and Wayne Kralicek of Hayden. They discovered the Roosevelt about 13 years ago and stayed at the inn when their house was being built. The Houghs offered Linda a job after seeing how great she was at entertaining guests.

"They came to my house Labor Day and brought a housewarming gift and said, 'When are you going to come work for us?’ And I said, ‘You’re kidding,'" Linda said.

"They weren't kidding," Wayne said.

Linda worked as their general manager for more than three years.

"We always said, if we could just clone Linda, we’d have everything we needed," John said.

Linda said she's sad the Houghs are leaving, “but I’m also very happy for their next adventure."

"They deserve it," she said. "They’ve been here a long time and now they need to move onto their next chapter."

The Roosevelt is filled with Hough family memories too, like the pirate-themed crow's nest John built in the apartment, complete with a captain's wheel and Jolly Roger flag. This was a favorite spot of the grandkids.

"I have a little pirate ship chest, and it's filled with doubloons," Tina said. "They'd just be busy all the day long."

John and Tina will snowbird to Texas and in the warm months return to their retirement property in Harrison, which is slated to be complete by next summer.

"When it gets miserably hot and humid in Texas, we’re coming back up here to beautiful Coeur d’Alene," Tina said.

They're eager to spend time with their grandchildren and attend their school events. The family is planning a 19-day Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints history tour across the U.S. to follow the path of the saints.

While they're feeling a touch nostalgic, they're not sad. They're ready for the next chapter in their lives.

"It’s just nice that we have put memories into people’s hearts and heads that they’re carrying with them and that will be our legacy," Tina said. "And that’s awesome."