Without extensive renovations or improved services, the hotel could no longer make a profit and closed on Nov. 30, 1974. Norman Germany, a 30-year hotel patron, and Larry L. Brown, a local businessman, were instrumental in the purchase of the hotel in 1978 by a group of investors operating as the Downtown Hotel Group. The Eola Hotel received a minor facelift in 1994, said Brumfield. Business has been on an increase, Brumfield said. Natchez is almost strictly a tourism town.
Corporate business is down right now, but individual and group tourists are increasing.
We host probably between 15 and 20 conventions a year. But our big business is motor coach tours. We easily get 120 or so buses a year from about 30 major tour companies that bring tourists into Natchez. At the same time, a city auditorium is being renovated. The Eola Hotel has approximately 3,300 square feet of meeting space that accommodates up to 300 people.