WAL-MART BUYS PROPERTY HERE FROM DRURY INNS

Drury Inns Inc. of Cape Girardeau has sold to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. an 18.67-acre tract of land just south of a Wal-Mart Supercenter that opened here in February.

Officials at both Wal-Mart and the Drury companies declined to comment on the sale; however, there have been persistent reports that Wal-Mart plans to build a Sam's Wholesale Club here.

A Sam's Club store was opened last year in Marion, Ill., next to a Wal-Mart store. There have been more than 100 wholesale clubs opened since 1983.

The general warranty deed, filed with the Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds on Monday, says that the land will be used for "the construction, maintenance and operation of a Wal-Mart owned and operated retail facility... ." It does not specify the retail facility Wal-Mart will build.

The deed also specifically prohibits using the land for construction of motels and free-standing restaurants. It also provides for the facility to be finished within two years.

Included in the tract sold to Wal-Mart is 12 acres purchased by Drury Inns from Albert C. Schabbing Dairy Farms Inc. A general warranty deed on that property was also filed with the recorder's office Monday.