Sept. 08, 2011--The Fort Smith-based Hobbs and Curry firm will close two of its Bentonville lodging properties -- the Clarion Hotel and Sleep Inn.

According to a recent news release from Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Heartland Hotel Corp., which operates the hotels for the firm, the closing will be effective Sept. 16.

Both the Clarion and Sleep Inn have begun notifying future guests of the closing.

Hobbs and Curry is considering the sale of the facilities or redevelopment of the land, which also includes four vacant acres behind the hotels.

"It's unfortunate that we had to come to this decision, but sometimes in the course of business it becomes necessary," Heartland President Derick Rackham stated in the release. "As the economy of the area slowed down, we were directly affected. The employees served each property well, and we sincerely thank them for their service to Heartland and the guests that were served at each property."

Kevin Crawford, chief operating officer of Williams/Crawford & Associates Inc. advertising agency that handled the release for Heartland, said Wednesday that no other Hobbs and Curry properties are affected by the closings.

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