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Tuesday, Sep. 1, 1998
On Retailing
Railway Inn, hotel with railroad theme, opens on Ocean Drive
Also: Sonic to come in Aransas Pass; Arbors on Saratoga begins leasing
The new, 40-room Railway Inn Suites, 4343 Ocean Drive, isn't the largest, fanciest or most expensive hotel in Corpus Christi. But with its railroad theme, it might be the most novel.
Outside the Railway Inn, the brickwork and a clock tower are reminiscent of an old-fashioned rail station. Inside, lanterns, photos and other railroad memorabilia reflect owner Bob Arnold's long-held passion for trains.
Stored behind the hotel is the old Tex-Mex Railroad bunkhouse (a.k.a. the ``Tex-Mex Hilton''), where rail crews napped between shifts.
The bunkhouse is in disrepair, but Arnold sees potential. ``We're going to restore it, but we're not sure how we're going to use it,'' he said.
The Railway Inn's crowning glory is the train that guests will be able to ride in circles around the hotel. The train, due to be in place this fall, will have an engine, tender car and two passenger cars, each capable of seating about 14 people.
Arnold is preparing to lay track around the perimeter of the 2.3-acre property. The rail and ballast for the train have been delivered and the train is being assembled.
The three-story, 22,000-square-foot hotel opened July 31. Constructed of concrete, steel and brick, the $1.2 million hotel is sturdier than many bayfront structures, Arnold says.
Each of the hotel's 40 suites has either two queen-size beds or a king-size bed and sleeper sofa. Every room has a table and chairs, microwave oven and refrigerator. Rates begin at $49.
Arnold and his wife also own and operate the Catalina Condominiums, 4334 Ocean Drive. They have owned the hotel lot since they moved to Corpus Christi from Ohio 23 years ago.
Arnold said he has been mowing and paying taxes on the property since then and decided to do something with it. He considered townhouses and a retirement facility before deciding on a hotel.
Sonic Drive-In
Franchisee Tom Curtis is building a new Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Aransas Pass. The restaurant will be in Sunflower Neighborhood Phase I, in the 1600 block of West Wheeler Avenue across from North Bay Hospital.
Curtis, who owns and operates several Sonic franchises in East Texas, purchased the site from Nancy P. Allen Associates Marketing and Development, who was represented by Tom Graham of McAlister Real Estate.
Curtis also recently purchased another restaurant site Beeville.
Arbors on Saratoga
The 252-unit Arbors on Saratoga apartments, 6225 Saratoga Blvd., has begun leasing units. The complex is owned and managed by 20-year-old Dallas-based First Worthing Co.
The Arbors has one-, two-and three-bedroom units with rent ranging from $625 per month for a one-bedroom apartment to $1,065 for some three-bedroom models.
Every apartment comes with a microwave, intrusion alarm, ceiling fan, garden tub and carport. Some units also have a washer and dryer. Tenants have a choice of subscribing to cable service through TCI or satellite service through DirecTV.
Property amenities include a clubhouse, conference room, business center, fitness center, sports court, pool and access gates.
Luby's closings
Luby's Cafeteria's Inc. announced it's closing 14 restaurants and taking a pre-tax charge of as much as $39 million in the next year to boost profits. Laura M. Bishop, Luby's senior vice president and chief financial officer, said no restaurants will be closed in Corpus Christi.
The San Antonio-based restaurant chain is taking several steps to boost profits, such as offering breakfast, staying open longer and test marketing drive-through windows at several of its stores.
Breakfast and drive-throughs aren't planned yet for Corpus Christi, but the company has been test-marketing beer and wine sales at its Saratoga Boulevard restaurant since June.
R&R Auto Accessories
Brothers Raul and Rex Ramirez have opened a discount automotive accessories store, R&R Auto Accessories, at 642 S. Padre Island Drive. The shop specializes in custom tires and wheels, hydraulics and other performance products.
On Retailing is published each Tuesday in the Caller-Times business section. On Retailing items include new, relocated and expanded businesses. Items for consideration should be submitted to: On Retailing, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, Texas 78469; e-mail Jeffrey Tomich at tomichj@scripps.com; or fax (512) 886-3732; or call (512) 886-4316.Post your comments about local news eventsFront Page || Main Index || News || Business || Texas || South Texas Outdoors || Birdwatching || Sports || Entertainment || Selena || Education || South Texas Attractions || World Wide Web