Drury comes out on top of rankings again

Drury Inn and Suites has once again earned a top ranking in a hotel guest customer-satisfaction survey.

For the fourth consecutive year J.D. Power and Associates ranked the chain first among mid-scale hotel chains with limited service. Among the 14 hotels listed in the survey, Drury Inn and Suites was the only one to earn a five-star rating in all four categories: overall satisfaction, reservations process, guest room satisfaction and check-in and check-out process.

The hotel chain also ranked third out of the 65 hotel brands ranked in categories ranging from luxury to economy and budget. Drury Inn and Suites scored 828 out of a possible 1,000 points. That's behind the Ritz-Carlton with 853 points and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which scored 863 points.

The survey was based on responses from 66,557 guests who stayed in a hotel between May 2008 and June 2009. Among the hotel chains in its class, Drury's closest competitor was Hampton Inn and Suites, which scored five stars in three of four categories.

"We have the best guests in the business and we do everything in our power to provide consistent, quality service," said Chuck Drury, president and CEO of Drury Hotels. "I'm very grateful that our team members have been recognized for their effort."

The Drury Inn & Suites value package includes hot breakfast, wireless Internet in all areas of the hotel, a evening beverage reception, free long distance and local calls, popcorn and soda in the lobby and other complimentary extras.

Drury spokesperson Eric Strand said the company takes "a lot of Bootheel pride in knowing it all started with those Drury boys down in that entrepreneurial hotbed of Kelso [Mo.] all those many years ago." Strand is referring to the 1940s, when the Drury family of Kelso came up with the idea to start the hotel company. April 1973 saw the opening of the first Drury Inn in Sikeston, Mo., with a rate of $10.88 a night. In 1986 the chain began offering breakfast and, through the years, added other extras. The chain's brands include Drury Inn and Suites, Drury Lodge, Drury Plaza Hotel, Drury Suites and Pear Tree Inn by Drury. 

* Renovation of old Keys building: For more than a month a crew has been fixing up the old Keys Music Store building at 121 Broadway. Owned by Su Hill, the structure was built in 1891.

I've received quite a few inquiries as to the purpose of the renovations. Hill said she plans to open a restaurant on the first floor. No plans are in place for the remaining floors of the building.

* Old Jackson Dollar Tree spot to get new tenant soon: Since Dollar Tree closed nearly al year ago, the space at 2050 Walton Drive, Suite A, in Jackson has been vacant. A new business will soon fill the space. A sign on the building says World Finance Corp. is hiring, but I'm finding out more information. When it does open, just one space will be left unfilled in the four-suite building. Blockbuster Video closed in February, leaving Suite D without a tenant.

* Production company changes locations: Relentless Media Productions has relocated to the Strickland building in uptown Jackson. Formerly at 1402 Old Cape Road, the business is now on the first floor at 113 W.t Main St. To show off its new home, the company will host an Aug. 14 open house.

Project manager Drew Jones said as the company grew they realized a need for their own production space to better serve their clients. The Old Cape Road location was used only as an office. The business specializes in HD video production, photography, graphic design and web design.

"Because our work is very versatile, we needed a space that could function as both a studio space and an office all in one," Jones said. "We are very pleased with our new location and we're excited for the opportunities in front of us. This new office will allow us to really grow and move quickly in a positive direction."

* Wieser Powersports adds warehouse: Earlier this year Wieser Powersports opened at 2215 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The long-time automobile dealer had acquired the Suzuki ATV and motorcycle franchise from Danny and Michele Tumbleson of Minor's Harley Davidson in Scott City.

Wieser added in July a 48-foot-by-72-foot storage warehouse to the back of the dealership.

Wieser also is opening a Qdoba Mexican Grill inside the Silver K Strip Center at the corner of William Street and Silver Springs Road. Wieser expects the restaurant to open by late September.

* Auction temporarily stops: Gittin' Place Auction has discontinued its Thursday night auctions at 2100 Big Bend Road in Cape Girardeau. Owner Jeff Sides said interest had been waning for the past four months and Thursday night "was icing on the cake. Only two bidders showed up."

Sides said he'll begin a flea market at the location Fridays and Saturdays starting Friday and eventually hopes to have an auction on Saturday nights there. His number is 587-9046.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell may be contacted at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.<I>