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One of the county's best known landmarks is to be sold Thursday for $1.35-million.
By JIM ROSS
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 27, 2001
INVERNESS -- A Central Florida businessman said he plans to buy the venerable Crown Hotel on Thursday.
Thomas Dryburg, 47, owns Alternative Health Care in Casselberry. The company recently sold some medical offices and medical equipment companies and now plans to enter the hospitality industry.
Dryburg said Monday that he has extensive hospitality experience. He and a business partner who is a chiropractor plan to start a European-style spa at the Crown.
They also plan to improve the main dining room and begin featuring ballroom dancing.
"If you want to go and get pampered, this would be the place" to stay, Dryburg said.
Jill and Nigel Sumner have owned and operated the 34-room, British-style hotel and pub since 1990. They have sought a buyer for more than two years.
Dryburg said he has been negotiating since the day after Thanksgiving 2000. The settled price, he said, is $1.35-million for the entire property.
Closing is scheduled for Thursday. A real estate agent who is working for the hotel owners confirmed the closing was scheduled for that day.
Dryburg said he will live in the hotel at first, then eventually buy a home in Citrus County.
Dryburg said he will continue to operate the hotel as an independent property; he will not seek a franchise agreement with a national chain.
And the Crown's name?
"At this point, that's up in the air," he said. "We had thought about changing it back to the Colonial, which it originally was."
The Crown is among Citrus County's best known hotels and landmarks. Its pub and dining room are popular destinations, and the meeting rooms have been used countless times by civic groups and clubs.