City’s stability drew investor to acquire Colonial Inn

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This article was published 25/05/2024 (479 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Travelodge by Wyndham co-owner Leo Ho has expanded his hospitality ventures with the recent acquisition of the Colonial Inn at 1944 Queens Ave., citing Brandon as a stable market to invest in.

Built in 1985, the hotel was bought from former owner Peter Lee for between $2 million and $3 million, Ho told the Sun.

Ho, who also owns a chain of Qdoba Mexican Eats restaurants and several other properties in Winnipeg, sees great potential in revitalizing the Colonial Inn and contributing to Brandon’s economy.

“Brandon is a stable market with more attractive prospects for business owners in the hospitality space and related services,” Ho told the Sun in an interview. “While business growth isn’t dramatic, it’s steady. I’ve been in the Brandon area since I was a teenager and graduated from Brandon University.”

His family’s experience in the restaurant business sparked his interest in the hospitality industry, leading to the purchase of Travelodge by Wyndham in 2017, a business he said has grown over the years.

The opportunity to acquire the Colonial Inn, he said, arose in May 2023 when Lee decided to move to Vancouver. Ho saw potential in the property, which needed some updates.

“We always look for opportunities to improve properties and increase occupancy. The Colonial Inn needed some updates, and we saw potential in fixing it up and making it a better place,” he said.

Renovation efforts began immediately. “We’ve redone the outside concrete sidewalk, repainted rooms, renovated the breakfast room, and worked on updating mechanical equipment to be more efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Ho.

Currently, he added, the hotel is about 25 per cent through the renovation process, which is expected to take another year. Despite the ongoing work, the Colonial Inn remains open and operational, offering 83 rooms to guests.

Looking ahead, the entrepreneur said there are plans to elevate the Colonial Inn to franchise standards, adding some companies had already shown interest.

“Travelodge, Choice Canada, and Radisson have contacted us, but we’re still improving the hotel’s condition and plan to approach franchise options once it meets certain standards,” he said. “Achieving franchise status is part of a broader strategy to increase occupancy and enhance the hotel’s reputation.”

Regarding plans for the existing restaurant operations, Ho clarified the new owners would not manage the restaurant operations. “We are hotel operators,” he emphasized, indicating that their primary focus would remain on the hotel itself.

The acquisition and subsequent renovations, he said, are expected to create significant employment opportunities. Initially employing around five full-time staff, the hotel now has between 14 to 16 employees, with plans to create at least 10 to 15 more full-time jobs once operating at full capacity.

Ho emphasized the importance of hiring the right people and highlighted the hotel’s diverse workforce, which includes Africans, Russians, Ukrainians, Filipinos, First Nations, Chinese and Europeans.

Supervising manager Alexey Volosnikov said infrastructure is a major challenge, particularly the poor condition of roads near the Colonial Inn.

“The roads and streets, especially near the Colonial Inn on Queens Avenue, are in poor condition. We’re investing to improve the sidewalks, but the roads need attention from the city,” Volosnikov told the Sun. “Improved infrastructure attracts more events to Brandon, boosting local businesses. The city has major events like Winter Fair and Quarter Horse Days, and we would like to see more events like these.”

Ho is optimistic about the future of the Colonial Inn and Brandon’s hospitality industry.

“We aim to increase occupancy, complete renovations, and franchise the hotel, making it a well-recognized brand like Travelodge. The customer feedback has been positive, and the improvements are already being noticed,” Ho said.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

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