LEWISTON — Longtime businessman George Gendron closed on the sale of the Ramada Inn and Conference Center on Friday and said the new owners plan more than $600,000 in upgrades over the next nine months.

“I believe I am leaving it in good hands,” Gendron said Tuesday.

The 43-year-old hotel was purchased by Massachusetts-based Atithi Group.

Gendron declined to disclose the sale price. The property is assessed at $3.9 million by the city.

Gendron had held a limited partnership in the hotel since 1993 before buying out majority owner Gary Adams in 2009.

The Ramada employs between 75 and 90 people.

“The new owners, their plan is to keep all our hotel staff on board,” Gendron said, noting they also plan upgrades in infrastructure and room fixtures. “It’s going to be business-as-usual. The restaurant is going to continue, the night club is going to continue. Over time they’ll probably make some changes if they see that’s what they want to do.”

Tusharkumar “Tom” Patel from the Atithi Group is listed as the new general manager on the hotel’s liquor license with the city. Patel didn’t return a call for comment on Tuesday.

Gendron said the Atithi Group owns about 25 other hotels.

“I’ve enjoyed my guests and employees and I really enjoyed the day-to-day challenge of hotel operations, but after eight years, I’ve decided that it was time to concentrate on some new adventures that I’ve been thinking about and maybe spending some extra time with my family,” Gendron, 68, said. “But as far as retiring, I’m going to work til 100 and die at 104.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com

May 2017 Sun Journal Aerial photo of the Ramada Inn & Conference Center in Lewiston

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