Stafford Development Co history

In 1956, he and other friends purchased the old Cohen Department Store on Main Street.

The Oldsmobile dealership was acquired in 1958.

After meeting Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn, DeNean Stafford, Jr., entered the hotel business in 1960, with the development of two Atlanta Holiday Inns: one downtown on Cain Street and one off Howell Mill Road.

When the trust was created in 1971, his children were still in high school and college.

When the hotel opened in the fall of 1972, it was the largest in the country, with just over 500 rooms, and the largest conference center in Atlanta.

In 1976, realizing they’d have to refurbish the hotel, as new competing hotels were entering the Atlanta market, Stouffer’s gave notice that they were planning to terminate their lease in one year.

Stafford arranged a new contract with Sheraton, beginning in 1977.

On July 12, 1978, Wold-Stafford, Inc. officially changed its name to Stafford Foods, Inc.

The partnership sold the property to EHP, Inc. in 1984, and it was rebranded as the Pierremont Plaza Hotel.

On December 15, 1986, the store was announced as the Winner of the 1986 National SPARC to Excellence contest, based on timely service, outstanding quality of product and proper staffing, as observed by officers of Wendy’s International, Inc. on unannounced visits.

In 1990, the hotel was sold to F-S Hotel Associates, and today operates as the Crowne Plaza.

Stafford Properties, Inc. was incorporated on September 18, 1992.

In 1996, DeNean and Boo Stafford created the Stafford Foundation to support and benefit Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation, Inc. and other charitable organizations in the Tift County area.

Stafford Hospitality, Inc. was incorporated on October 16, 2000, for the purpose of managing motels owned by Stafford.