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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 23, 1993                   TAG: 9302230111
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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IN BUSINESS

2 Eastern Motor Inns to expand in franchise

Eastern Motor Inns Inc. of Roanoke on Monday announced a $3 million expansion and remodeling of two of its area motels, converting them to Hampton Inn franchises.

The construction is the first sizable growth in the Roanoke Valley motel industry in several years; overbuilding in the hotel business was followed by recession, both of which depressed room rates and profits.

But this market badly needs midpriced lodging with good value, said Eastern President Granger Macfarlane. There is risk involved, he added, "but my sense of the Roanoke-Salem economy is that this is the right thing to do now." Business travelers are willing to spend $45 for a room, including breakfast, "if it has value," he said.

Macfarlane's company last November opened a Hampton Inn on Franklin Road from a converted Econolodge, and now has almost completed grading of land for the second Hampton Inn at an Econolodge on Thirlane Road Northwest.

Both properties will have a choice of larger guest rooms, meeting rooms and separate telephone connections for the use of laptop computers.

The Thirlane motel will grow from 48 to 80 rooms. A new swimming pool and remodeling of existing rooms are planned. The Franklin Road inn was enlarged from 48 to 59 rooms. Five old rooms were converted to a breakfast and reception area, and 16 new rooms were constructed.

Eastern Motor Inns also plans to remodel its Econolodge in Salem and the Colony House on Franklin Road next year. - Staff report

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