Reportedly the Coach and Four closed in 1990 and the former Motor Lodge, Restaurant, and Lounge remained derelict but standing for fourteen years.

In May of 2003 a developer called Renaissance Memphis LLC purchased the 2.18 acre site for 125,000. The developer joined with LeMoyne-Owen, a non-profit organization, in order to attract public money to redevelop the site.

Other area properties were also demolished in this latest "urban-renewal" craze. Led my moneyed developers and their political hacks, some of the projects involved the use of eminent domain where local government seized private property and handed it to commercial interests.

With Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton officiating, demolition began on Friday August 13, 2004 of the former HoJo's. Taxpayers paid most of the $144,500 demolition cost. Plans called for a ten-story, 76 unit condo tower and 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space to be built on the cleared site.

Note the scene at left is a shot of the Restaurant's facade being crashed through.