March 31, 2009 - OXFORD -- Two Oxford hotels are in foreclosure, apparent victims of competition from new development that is drawing shoppers and visitors three miles east.

Both the Oxford Inn and Suites and the Super Value Inn are located off the 185 exit of Interstate 20 and are hurting from the hotel business at the 188 exit near the Oxford Exchange shopping center, an attorney familiar with the situation said.

Ed Isom is an Anniston attorney who coincidentally represents owners of both properties. The Oxford Inn and Suites, built in 1961, was once the premiere hotel in the area and formerly operated under the banners of Holiday Inn and Best Western, Isom said. It is located on Hamric Drive near Oxford's Applebee's.

"I think the construction of all these new hotels has really decimated it," Isom said.

The owner is listed as DKS LLC, which Isom said is based in California. A man who identified himself as John Singh, the motel's property manager, said he did not know whether the motel would close.

An employee at Super Value Inn also had no knowledge of the foreclosure of that motel. The building is located on Spring Branch Drive near the Outback Steakhouse. The owner is listed as Jangir Inc. on county tax records, but Isom said the motel's owner is H.P. Bhatti. Several people with that last name are listed with the Secretary of State's office as Jangir's incorporators.

Isom said he did not know if either motel would close.

"I'm sorry to hear both seem to being going down," Isom said. "... If you and I were traveling and we had the choice of staying in a new structure or an older one you're going to stay in a new one."

About Dan Whisenhunt Dan Whisenhunt covers Oxford, Lincoln and Munford for The Star. He also writes the Pushing Buttons column.

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