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Lobby
Cards circa 1980s & 1990s |
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Lexington,
Virginia |
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2836 N Lee Hwy (U.S. 11 @ I-81) |
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Initially
planned for a 1973 opening, the Lexington Motor Lodge and
Restaurant complex was delayed until 1975 -- most likely because
of expansion curtailment as a result of the "Arab"
oil embargo. The 100 room five-story Motor Lodge offered guests
a mountain-top view as well as standard HoJo's amenities.
By
the late 1990s the site was owned by an outfit called Lex-Ex
Associates which was headquartered in Danville, VA. Amazingly
Lex-Ex strived to keep the site first rate and maintained
the Restaurant, Gift Shop, and Motor Lodge in top condition. |
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Howard
Johnson's Landmark: April 1975, page 1 |
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January
Manager of the Month ...
Emory
Smith, Lexington, Va., accepts his Matador key from A. A. Stambaugh,
executive vice president. |
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In
the spring of 1974 Howard B. Johnson initiated HoJo's Manager
of the Month program. He said M.O.M. was "to recognize the
unit manager, to inspire him/her to continue to create and maintain
goodwill and sound relationships with Howard Johnson's customers."
Moreover he added; "The unit manager is out front, every
day -- our corporate image depends on the local image he creates."
According to Bob MacKinnon, vp/personnel, the award was based
primarily on total appearance, guest relations, service, and food
presentation.
I'm sure that
a new car was a nice incentive, but a Matador--yuck! |
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Photograph
July 5, 2006: Courtesy of Marcus Nauman |
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Above:
A difficult shot to get! Marcus Nauman snapped his quick photo
of Lexington's guest building from I-81. Since the complex was
somewhat hidden from Interstate view it would have relied on signage
to direct guests to its location.
Below:
Having arrived to the site in 1999, I was only a year or so too
late to have seen the place prior to its stuccofication. Note
that the original lobby mansard can be seen behind the newer facade. |
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Photograph
August 11, 1999 |
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Photographs
courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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Motor
Lodge high rises never had the character that the classic
two-story facilities seemed to exude. Perhaps the lack of
a vaulted ceiling gives the rooms a sense of austereness?
Nonetheless Lexington's guest rooms were typical of HoJo's
design and while Phil's room had been remodeled it continued
to employ its second vanity, even as the privacy screen had
been removed. |
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