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After receiving his master’s degree in business from India, Vic Kalia was headed to the United States to become a business man.
He didn’t become one right away — in 2005, he worked his first job at a Xerox agency selling printers and copiers. But after several years, he began his entrepreneurial journey owning a similar company.
“I wasn’t scared,” shared Kalia with a Chamber Ambassador. “I worked for some businesses, but once I saw an opportunity to own, I took it.” Today, the Chamber Ambassadors celebrated the inauguration of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, under Kalia’s ownership, to the Grinnell Chamber!
Kalia’s business beginnings trace back to Cedar Rapids, where his wife works as an insurance agent. “I built my first restaurant, Taste of India, from scratch,” shared Kalia with the Chamber Ambassadors. “For the last 15 years, I have owned various restaurants and real estate properties.”
Fast forward to 2018, when Kalia bought Country Inn & Suites. He met his staff, which included long-standing team members Becky Broadston and Shivam Sharma. Broadston, who has worked at the hotel since 2005, began as a housekeeper and worked her way up to be the head housekeeper, then the front desk receptionist, and finally the hotel’s manager.
“Vic and his wife are amazing people,” Broadston remarks. “He helps, but we run the hotel — he doesn’t micromanage and always asks, ‘What does Becky think? Let’s ask her.’” Since Kalia took over, he has retained much of his original staff.
The hotel offers 19 suites and 40 standard rooms, 4 of which are handicap accessible. In the next few months, they’ll be purchasing new televisions and pillows for all the hotel rooms, and in the next two and a half years, they’ll also acquire new TV stands, cabinets, and bedsheets. Country Inn & Suites operates under the Choice Hotels brand, where Choice loyalty customers can earn points with their stay.
Overall, Country Inn & Suites is the perfect place to meet or rest in the middle, says Sharma. “Whether people stay for Tulip Time in Pella, the NASCAR races, or as a rest stop for a road trip on the way to Denver or Chicago, Grinnell is the perfect middle point.” The hotel also serves complimentary breakfast and offers a rotating menu.
But Country Inn & Suites doesn't only serve tourists. “Community members can rent our meeting, breakfast, and pool rooms,” says Broadston. “We have hosted weddings, bridal parties, family reunions, and pool parties.” Business owners, non-profit organizations, or general larger groups can also book rooms for meetings and retreats. Fun fact: UnityPoint Health hosts their aquatic classes at the hotel’s pool on Mondays and Wednesdays!
Plus, Kalia welcomes Grinnell businesses and organizations with special rates. “Depending on the length of your stay or the number of rooms booked, we can accommodate anyone — tourists, people visiting Grinnell College, construction crews.”
Are you looking for your next venue? With the option to decorate for your next event or to hold a professional business meeting, Country Inn & Suites is the place to start. Venues begin at $85 for four hours, with the option to book the pool for an additional $10. If you know anyone planning a trip to Grinnell or wanting to “meet in the middle,” Country Inn & Suites is booking reservations for the next few months! Call Country Inn & Suites by Radisson today at 641-243-5694 to inquire or follow their Facebook page, Country Inn & Suites to follow their upcoming renovations.
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
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