TOMS RIVER, NJ – After 32 years, the Ramada Inn hotel on Route 9 at the Toms River-Lakewood border is shutting down. The news was released by the former owner,Hotels Unlimited of East Windsor in a statement this week.
“After many happy decades of serving the community, the Ramada Toms River has closed its doors,” the company said in a statement. “We thank all of our patrons and guests for over 30 years of business. Please consider the Days Hotel of Toms River for your lodging and banquet needs.”
Rumors swirled after the news broke. What was going to happen to the hotel? Would it be raised? Turned into low-income housing? Would something entirely different replace it? Would it sit vacant?
Last month, the new plans for the hotel were announced.
A company named Westwood Two LLC was approved by the Toms River Township council to convert the building into 104 office rental suites. Westwood Two purchased the building for $22 million.
According to Steven Vegh, President of the company, the 51,000-square-foot building will convert the rooms into office suites, keeping 52 extended-stay suites for business travelers.