NEWS 25 - WEHT: Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro-Evansville Executive Inn Closes Its Doors

Evansville Executive Inn Closes Its Doors

story by Jamie Rose

EVANSVILLE - Open for over forty years, and today the Executive Inn downtown officially closes its doors.

Now 75 employees there are looking for their next move, and Monday NEWS 25 talked with some of them as they said their goodbyes. We find out what's being done there now that the doors are officially closed for business.

The lobby of the Executive Inn was busy today, but not so much with customers as it was former employees.

The last person was checked out just before noon today, but many employees were stopping in, tying up loose ends and talking with friends--most of them saying it's the end of an era.

Four and a half years as a bellman, and Everett Melton was there taking some final pictures, and having to say goodbye.

You leave your friends that you've had for four and a half years," says Melton. "It's just sad to leave them."

The clock struck noon, and the signs went up saying "Hotel Closed", but for some the work has just begun.

Vendors are picking up equipment, and a liquidation crew is already moving around furniture, preparing for it be sold.

28 years working there, and Larry Damm's last day is this Thursday.

"It's just very sad, it's like basically and end of an era," says Damm.

Knowing today was coming for awhile now, NEWS 25 asks Damm what his plans are from here.

"Keep my eyes and ears open, may just take it easy for a few weeks, regroup, see what I want to do," says Damm.

The hotel's General Manager, Joey Schnepp, tells NEWS 25 WorkOne has met with employees, going over the job market, and unemployment benefits.

And right now it's about tying up loose ends.

We were there as one employee wanted to take a piece of her history at the hotel with her; a plaque with her name on it.

Father Daniel Hackney and his family packed up their car today, starting their first day as Evansville residents, and were one of last to check out today. Hackney says it must be hard to let go of something with so much history, but is hopeful of what's to come.

"I understand there will be new life here. There will be renovations, new arena, and good things happening in the downtown area," says Hackney.

Arena Project Director, John Kish, says demolition on a portion of the Executive Inn will start December 1st.

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