Austin’s Econo Lodge is under new management.

Nilesh Patel recently moved to Austin from Texas and took over the 52-room hotel at 3303 Oakland Ave. W. last month.

“We were looking for a business and this opportunity came up,” Patel said.

Patel has a message for the Austin community and people coming to town: Econo Lodge is open for business. Patel said the sign, which is on a parcel owned by a neighboring business, is blacked out, making it look like the hotel is closed.

He’s working with the city and officials to repair the sign.

“We’re here to stay; we want to work with the city,” he said.

Econo Lodge offers free wifi, free continental breakfast, handicapped rooms, cable TV, guest laundry, refrigerators and microwaves in many rooms, RV and truck parking, and winter plugins. Patel said they offer low daily and weekly rates.

“We want [people] to come in and give us a try,” he said.

Patel may soon be looking to hire a few employees, and he was recently looking for house keeping workers.