Company Press Release
July 6, 2000
WICHITA, KS -- Groundbreaking has occurred for a new Candlewood Suites in Topeka, Kan. The hotel is set to open
next year.
The property is owned by Candlepoint Topeka LLC of Emporia, Kan., under a franchise agreement with Candlewood Hotel
Co. of Wichita. A.G. Hospitality Services of Wichita will manage the hotel.
Steve and Paula Sauder and Jim Korroch are Candlepoint Topeka's main shareholders. Steve Sauder is an entrepreneur
and co-founder of the Valu-Line Companies, which merged in 1998 with Birch Telecom of Kansas City. Paula Sauder
is a Topeka native and has managed S.L. Sauder Property Management since 1982. Korroch is president of A.G. Hospitality
Services and former vice president of operations for Candlewood Hotel Co.
The project is valued at about $4.5 million. Carrico Construction of Wichita is building the hotel. The land was
purchased from Henderson Partners, Topeka, through Tom Moses, commercial real estate broker for Griffith &
Blair Commercial Realtors, also of Topeka. Law/Kingdon Architects of Wichita designed the hotel. Cook, Flatt &
Strobel Engineers, of Topeka, completed the civil engineering.
The hotel is located at 914 S.W. Henderson Road, near the intersection of Interstate 70 and Wannamaker Road.
Candlewood Suites offers larger-than-average guest suites that are loaded with amenities and perfectly suited for
business travelers. The new hotel will feature 80 suites, including 45 studio suites, 12 one-bedroom suites and
23 double-double suites, which include two full-size beds. Each suite includes a complete kitchen, oversized recliner,
25-inch television, large business desk, adjustable executive chair, two phone lines and data ports.
Candlewood Suites is especially appealing to those traveling on a limited per diem budget. Amenities include free
local phone calls and incoming faxes, low-cost long distance, 25-cent soft drinks, free laundry facilities, free
video and CD library and fitness center. Guests can buy food items, snacks and sundries 24-hours-a-day from the
Candlewood Cupboard, an on-site, honor-based pantry where items are value-priced.
Candlewood Hotel Co. (Nasdaq:CNDL) owns, operates and franchises Candlewood Suites, which targets mid-market business
travelers and others on short or long-term stays. Chairman and CEO Jack DeBoer, who founded Residence Inn and co-founded
Summerfield Suites in the 1970s and 1980s, founded Candlewood in 1995. He is recognized in the hotel industry as
the creator of the extended-stay concept. There are currently 83 Candlewood Suites open coast-to-coast, with more
under construction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
C. Russell & Company Public Relations
Carolyn Russell, 316/636-2224
candlewood@russcom.com
or
www.candlewoodsuites.com