Explosion has DoubleTree Hotel pivoting events and employees

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Youngstown’s DoubleTree Hotel has been closed since the Realty Building explosion four weeks ago.

General Manager Steve Mitchell said the hotel was sold out at the time of the explosion. Since then, he and his staff have been forced to cancel a number of banquets, wedding receptions and other events because of the extended shutdown.

Mitchell said with each passing day the hotel is closed, he has additional customers to call to cancel their reservations.

“We’ve made the decision to create a three or four-week window where we went ahead and canceled future reservations. This way, that gives people the opportunity to rebook and find alternative locations,” Mitchell said.

While Mitchell is still hopeful the hotel will be able to reopen soon, he says most of the property’s 40 employees continue seeking unemployment benefits during the shutdown.

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