OGDEN — The Ben Lomond Historic Suite Hotel has been said to be frequented by ghosts and other supernatural phenomena.
But it was the haunting presence of a sluggish economy, a struggling downtown and increased competition for guests that forced owners to decide to sell the hotel.
General manager Jim Budge said the hotel officially closed Saturday, after 75 years.
"The economic climate in Ogden coupled with that in the United States forced the hotel to close its doors," he said.
Increased competition from newer hotels in the downtown area has reduced the Ben Lomond's market share, he said. The five-star Crowne Plaza hotel opened just down the street for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and the Ogden Marriott has operated downtown for years.
"We're kind of in shock here," said Barbara McConvill, director of marketing and media relations for the Ogden/Weber Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "We were under the understanding that things were working out."
Several businesses at the ground level of the building are "all operating and will continue to do so," Budge said.
About 60 employees are out of work from the closure.
The Ben Lomond building is owned by approximately 60 private suite owners, who hold 122 of the 144 total suites. The board of directors is composed of suite owners from various fields and professions.
Budge said several parties are interested in purchasing the building, but he did not know of specific plans they may have for the building. He said hotel owners would split proceeds from a sale according to each individual's stake in it.
Mike Amidan, a suite owner and board member for the hotel for the past 17 years, agreed that downtown Ogden is in serious need of an economic boost.
"With the growth in Layton, it's really hurt us. They offer more to guests than we do, with the mall and all the restaurants and everything right there."
Amidan also said that there is just not enough business downtown to support three large hotels.