Hotel Pattee New Ownership Official

Hotel Pattee is officially under construction.  The new owners signed the final documents with the bank.

This couple is uprooting their entire family from St. Louis to come to Perry for the hotel.  They have a vested interest to make this work, so they say it has to.

"It's almost surreal," Jay Hartz said.

Jay Hartz finalized the paperwork Thursday.  He and his wife Denise are official owners of this historic hotel in Perry.

"I was just waiting for something to go wrong, but it didn't.  Everything worked out well," Hartz said.

The hotel most recently closed in July.  That's the second time in just a few years.  The family says this time is their big chance.

"This is our life and we've put our life savings into this property," he said.  "We're vested owners in the property I think will make a big difference."

The community also has a big stake in the game, too.  More than 50 people invested in the hotel with Hartz.  They've already hired the first person they say is key to Pattee's success, their chef.

"His name is Chris Caes and Chris comes from Wakonda Club in Des Moines."

Next comes the rest of the crew.  Seventy plus people have already applied, but Jay isn't going to give jobs to just anyone.

"I quote on quote hire tough, and then I can manage a little bit easier," he said.

Even if you are a former employee.

"We are going to be searching and hiring the best we can hire.  And that might be some of the past employees here, but it may be others as well."

As for the people who planned events here before it closed, or who have gift certificates, Hartz said he has a lot of making up to do in the community.  But it'll have to be on a case by case basis.

"Come talk to me.  I'm not saying I can honor that deposit, but maybe there are some things we can do in terms of the menu and working some deeper discounts or something."

Jay said he has a marketing plan that's unlike anything the hotel has used before.  And he plans to partner with other organizations in the community to make the hotel a destination.

Their goal is to open the first week of November, in time for "Art on the Prairie."

Reported by:  Woi-TV ABC 5 News