Lebanon-Laclede County holds annual membership meeting
The Munger Moss Motel is now owned by the Dels Corporation. CEO Mark Bertel said the only modifications to its exterior would be those necessary for maintenance.
LCR Photo/Jack Silberberg.
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JACK SILBERBERG • REPORTER@LACLEDERECORD.COM
Lebanon Director of Tourism Rebecca Rupard called the new owner of the Munger Moss Motel, CEO Mark Bertel of the Dels Corporation, to speak to community members during the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society’s annual membership meeting on Saturday.
This was one of several significant announcements for the organization, which included grants and upcoming projects that look towards the Route 66 Centennial in 2026.
Bertel had planned to attend the event in person but could not due to weather. He expressed excitement towards his company’s future with the property and with the community, assuring audience members that he would not develop the property in a way he was not proud of.
“I want to preserve the history that’s there, and I have no intention of ever messing with that,” Bertel said.
Bertel said that he would donate the Munger Moss sign and the surrounding land to the City of Lebanon for preservation, citing its connection to local heritage. He also said that he did not plan to significantly alter the exterior of the motel aside from necessary maintenance updates.
“I promise you it will always look nice. It’ll always be something that you guys can be proud of, for your tourists,” Bertel said.
Regarding business practices, Bertel said that the motel would offer both overnight and extended stay bookings. Bertel said that 20 percent of the rooms would be for overnight stays and 80 percent for extended stays, noting that an entirety of rooms being overnight would be financially unfeasible.
Another announcement was the approval of an up-to-$15,000 sponsorship for the Route 66 Society’s plan to build a large Route 66 sign that will act as a photo-opportunity for tourists.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's LCR.