The Crookston Inn was forced to shut down operations on January 7 this year. After various discussions and loan terms with the city and United Valley Bank, they are now in the process of re-opening.
“We were supposed to close on the business on December 20,” said Co-owner of the Crookston Inn Laurie Stahlecker. “And we had some of our investors back out. That’s why we were closed because the bank could not continue to lease it to us, and they can’t do that because they’re a bank.”
After six weeks of meetings, loan applications, and paperwork, the Stahleckers were able to team up with four regional entities for loan funding, allowing them to re-open. The Crookston Inn is set to receive loan and investment funding from the following entities-
-The City of Crookston (via IRP loan program) in the loan amount of $250,000
-United Valley Bank in the loan amount of $200,000
-Northwest Regional Development Commission in the loan amount of $150,000
-Laurie and Craig Stahlecker (via personal investment) in the amount of $200,000
-The Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority in the loan amount of $75,000
The Crookston Inn was previously owned by United Valley Bank (Grand Forks). The business is now under the ownership of the Stahleckers. Craig and Laurie Stahlecker will close the purchase of the building on Monday, February 26, at 10:00 a.m. Scobey’s will hold a community celebration event on Monday, starting at 4:00 p.m. and going until 9:00 p.m. United Valley Bank will sponsor the event by providing the community with complimentary appetizers. The Crookston Inn and Convention Center will be open on Tuesday morning (February 27) at 8:00 a.m.
Both Craig and Laurie are excited to have full ownership of the Crookston Inn and explained that this could not have happened if not for the support of the Crookston community. “We’re excited,” said Co-owner of the Crookston Inn Craig Stahlecker. “Looking into the future, we’re excited to do bigger and better things because it is ours now. A lot of stuff was holding us back because we couldn’t put money into something we didn’t own.”
Craig and Laurie have already begun operations on improvements to the hotel, such as carpet and flooring replacements in rooms, converting low-level rooms into suites, and maintaining the pool. The biggest project owners are tackling is the signage located outside the facility, which ultimately is the first thing incoming customers will see. “I’ve been working with Ad Monkey in Grand Forks to get the sign done,” said Laurie Stahlecker, “They will be coming in hopefully on Monday, and they’re supposed to wrap the current sign. It will end up just being a white sign; there will be nothing on it until they are able actually to go in and install the new sign.”
Due to the terms and conditions of Ad Monkey, the Crookston Inn will not be able to have its new sign installed until the outdoor temperature reaches over 50 degrees.
The re-opening of the Crookston Inn seems to be an exciting time for both Laurie and Craig on the business side of things, but it also holds sentimental value to both. Over 35 years ago, the two first met in the same building. “I’m excited, but at the same point, there is that worry,” said Laurie Stahlecker. “I do think we’ve had amazing support from the community, and that was needed. I think we’ll do fine.”
Below are pictures of updated flooring and the well-kept pool.
