By Lisa Pett

The familiar Blue Top Motel sign is now gone from Church Street.

The motel re-branded itself as Knights Inn about three weeks ago. After being locally-owned for more than ten years, the business was sold to an out-of-state corporation in March.

According to the general manager, Chuck Gray, the only thing that has changed about the business is the sign out front.

“The management, staff and the procedures are all the same,” said Gray. “But we officially became a Knights Inn on September 15th.”

The new owner, Illinois-based Shree Veer Corp. also owns hotel properties in Wauapaca.

Previous owner Randy Woyak said said he sold the business because he thought more “in tune” with the hotel industry should take over.

“We successfully ran the business for over ten years,” Woyak said. “We enjoyed working with the staff and running a family business with my wife, mom and dad but we felt it was time to move on and focus on other projects.”

Woyak added one condition of the sale was the new owner needed to keep the existing staff. He maintains ownership of the neighboring Blue Top Restaurant and Rookies Sports Pub, and also owns some rental properties in the area.

The motel has 58 guest rooms and advertises low rates. According to Gray, the occupants are mixed between daily and extended stays, including one guest who has resided there for the past 12 years.

Gray said king size beds and security cameras are among the upgrades already completed.