Chris Bieri/PCT The Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Rugby had its grand opening on Oct. 8 and celebrated with a ribbon cutting. The hotel broke ground on Oct. 11, 2012 and has been open since mid-June.

The Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Rugby held its grand opening on Oct. 8, just about one year after breaking ground on the south side of U.S. Highway 2 in Rugby.

The hotel has been open since mid-June and manager Stephanie Halvorson said business has been brisk.

“Business has been very good,” she said. “There was a great need in Rugby.”

The Cobblestone franchise, based out of Neenah, Wisc., has hotels throughout the Midwest and caters to communities of between 2,000 and 8,000 people.

Cobblestone pinpointed the area as a good market for their hotels and have opened up buildings in both Harvey and Bottineau.

There are also Cobblestones in similarly sized cities Carrington and Langdon.

Halvorson said the hotel has had a number of business travelers and workers, especially with the Enbridge Pipeline work going on in the area.

“There have been a lot of pipeline workers, families who are traveling and business travelers,” she said.

Bremer Bank partnered with the Cobblestone locally and the franchise now has more than 20 hotels in the Midwest.

Due to the business travelers, the Rugby Cobblestone opted for a lounge instead of a pool and hot tub.

Halvorson said that has been well-received by clients.

She said there has been a number of extended-stay visitors as well as one-night stays.

“It’s been a good mix,” she said of the extended stay customers. “Some are 3-4 days and some 30-40. It’s been primarily business travelers.”