Jun. 15--Atlanta is losing one of its glitziest corporations. 

Ritz-Carlton, operator of 45 luxury hotels throughout the world, is moving its corporate offices next summer to Montgomery County, Md. 

The reason has little to do with Atlanta. The company is moving to be near its parent company, Marriott International, according to spokeswoman Stephanie Platt. 

But the city will take a slight hit economically. The Ritz has 142 corporate employees, all of whom have been offered relocation packages, she said. 

Along with the headquarters and two hotels, the Ritz also had some history in Atlanta. 

Atlanta real estate magnate W.B. Johnson founded Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. in 1983, when he acquired North American rights to the Ritz-Carlton name through the purchase of the Boston Ritz-Carlton. 

Marriott bought a 49 percent stake in Ritz-Carlton in 1995. In 1998, Marriott bought the remaining interest. 

Platt said employees have known that relocation was a possibility since 1995. 

"It is just easier to do business within the same state," she said. 

Several months ago, executives let employees know an announcement was on the way. On May 7, employees got their relocation packages. 

"I don't think people were just shocked," she said. "It doesn't seem to come out of left field." 

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