A longtime Columbiana business is changing ownership.

The Best Western Dutch Inn was built by Ralph Witmer back in 2001, as part of the family expansion beside Das Dutch Haus, a family restaurant that at the time was co-owned by the Witmer and Horst families.

The 2.35-acre property was sold to PKVR Hospitality LLC, which is owned by Umesh Shah, on Tuesday for $4.165 million.

Nelson Witmer, son of the original owner, told 21 News that the time was right to sell, and he was very happy to have PKVR looking to carry on their long tradition in the community. 

Witmer said that his sister had been running the hotel but had recently moved out of the area. 

The family restaurant opened in 1982 and had been part of their family until they sold their interest in the business three years ago to the Horst family. 

The Witmer family built and opened the nearly 20,000-square-foot facility, which includes the hotel, recreational area with pool and hot tub, a banquet area, and a retail store in 2001.

In 2018, the hotel became affiliated with the Best Western chain, but remained privately owned. 

The General Manager of Dutch Inn told 21 News that the hotel will remain a Best Western Plus facility under the new ownership.