NEW BUSINESS ON THE STREET: DRURY HOTEL OPENS FRIDAY AT I-55-HIGHWAY 61

JACKSON -- Drury Inn & Suites opened at Interstate 55 and Highway 61 Friday.

The 79-room hotel has a new look for a Drury Inn. The four-story structure features bell towers and stucco exterior to reflect traditional Bavarian style, same as the adjacent Bavarian Halle, which was constructed more than two years ago.

A covered walkway connects an outdoor Bavarian garden seating area to the adjacent Bavarian Halle, which has banquet facilities for up to 700 people.

The hotel is owned and developed by Drury Southwest Inc. of Cape Girardeau and is being operated by Drury Inns Inc., an affiliate company.

"We are pleased to add the Drury Inn & Suites brand to Jackson," said Joe Barthelette, general manager of the hotel. "We believe our hotel is designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers and local groups looking for moderate-priced accommodations." Barthelette has been with Drury Inns five years.

Approximately 20 new jobs were created with the opening of the hotel.

The hotel is the 16th lodging development by Drury Southwest.

Drury Inns Inc. operates more than 70 Drury Inns, Pear Tree Inns by Drury, Thrifty Inns, Hampton Inns and Holiday Inn Express hotels in 12 states from Colorado to Georgia and from Texas to Michigan.

Drury Inn Inc. also announced last week that construction is under way on a Drury Inn hotel at Marion, Ill., at Interstate 57 and Route 13. The hotel, expected to open this summer, is owned and developed by Druco Inc., and operated by Drury Inns Inc.