By ANDREW FAISON/CORRESPONDENT
andrew.faison@yahoo.com

FRANKLIN—A Virginia Beach man has purchased the Super 8 on Armory Drive in Franklin.

Manan Shah and his group took ownership on Sept. 26 and plans to upgrade the 52-room motel.

“We want to take it to the next level with some renovations,” said Shah. “We plan on extending the lobby area and to put in a higher technology standard, all of which is to increase the revenue of the business.”

Plans call for installing Internet, and high definition LCD TVs in all rooms and the breakfast area.

At the same time, Shah has dropped the nightly rate to $59.99 from $83.99.

“We changed the rate because we felt the group that used to own the property, being based in South Dakota, did not know much about the immediate area so their rates were rather high,” he said.

Shah was drawn to Franklin because of recent construction.

“There is lots of activity beginning here in the Franklin area with the paper mill coming back open and other construction beginning in the area and lots of workers are coming to the area as well,” he said.

“Franklin is a very nice city to live in with very friendly people; the area has quite a bit of activity beginning.”

The Super 8 is the second hotel Shah’s has purchased this year. He also purchased The Blue Marlin in Virginia Beach in March.