One of the founders of the Drury Hotels chain has died at the age of 78.
Cape Girardeau businessman James L. Drury, four of his brothers, and their father, were in the construction business when they opened a Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau 47 years ago but found their profits from renting rooms were consumed by losing food and beverage costs.
They opened their first Drury Inn in Sikeston with rooms for $10.88 a night. Drury Inns became the first hotel chain to offer something beyond a continental breakfast for lodgers.
