Brian Wogenese , Chief Executive Officer, Co-founder and President of Development for Cobblestone Hotels commented that this was one the largest turnouts for a ground breaking ceremony.
Groundbreaking for new Hotel in Ambridge Pennsylvania
AMBRIDGE, PA – September 25, 2014 - On Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 10:30 AM there will be a groundbreaking for a new Cobblestone Hotel at 1111 New Economy Drive, Ambridge. The new 31 bedroom hotel will be at the corner of New Economy Drive and 11th street, directly between the Bottom Dollar grocery store and Trinity School for Ministry. Representatives from the Ambridge community, Abigail Investors, local church leaders, and BriMark Builders will take part in the brief ceremony.
The idea for a hotel began in 2001 when a group of friends of the local seminary, Trinity School for Ministry, noticed a trend. When visitors came to Ambridge for meetings of mission agencies, denominational groups, classes, and special programs, there appeared to be too few guest rooms available and it was hard to find a place to stay nearby. In collaboration with the developers of New Economy Associates, efforts were taken to explore the feasibility of a potential hotel in Ambridge. Eventually a professional feasibility study was done by Core Distinction Group that confirmed the viability. After contact was made with BriMark Builders, a small equity group named Abigail investors was formed to make the hotel a reality. Key Private Bank of Toledo, OH agreed to provide the loan in 2014 once the initial equity was raised.
“In years past, the Harmonists, a religious society that founded the town that would eventually become Ambridge, were known as a community of hard work and welcome,” noted the Rev. Dr. Laurie Thompson, a key investor in the new hotel and professor at Trinity School for Ministry. “I yearn to see Ambridge renew that passion for hospitality and hope the Cobblestone Inn will be a key part of that.”
The name, Abigail Investors, comes from the biblical account of Abigail, a woman noted for her hospitality (1 Samuel 25). Like Abigail, the investors want to continue the tradition of warm welcome, something that has always been present in the Ambridge community.
BriMark Builders, located in Neenah, Wisconsin, is the General Contractor for this project, with over 20 years of hotel construction experience. They currently have 12 hotels under construction including 5 in the state of Pennsylvania.
Cobblestone Hotels, based in Neenah, Wisconsin, is a hotel brand company that prides itself in filling the lodging needs of communities through its upper mid-scale new build brand. Experiencing significant growth since it opened its first property in January of 2008, Cobblestone Hotels currently has 48 operating properties, 12 properties under construction and 45 new properties in development. Cobblestone Hotels is very excited about the future. Learn more about Cobblestone Hotels and their growth at www.cobblestonedream.com
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