It came as a big surprise to employees and the guests of the hotel when it was announced that it was closing immediately. Mark Anderson, the owner of the Clarion Inn, told KAAL-TV that a deal was reached Thursday to sell the property to another hotel chain. The plan is to tear down the Clarion and put a new hotel in its place.

Most of the employees knew it was coming and, out of 200 rooms, only about 20 guests were in the hotel at the time. The Clarion worked with other local hotels to put the guests up for their stay.

Some of the employees have already been able to find work at another hotel in the area.

Of course, with the closing and demolition of the Clarion, the Viking Lounge also closed its doors.

After a liquidation auction, the demolition will happen in about a month. The whole project for building the new hotel is expected to be completed in about 8 months.

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