New owners for Chief Motel

Gene O. Morris/McCook Gazette

The new owners of the Chief Motel, Jim and Susan Zader, arrived in McCook in September to take over operation of the 94-room lodging facility. The motel, which is one of the largest motels in Southwest Nebraska, originated in the 1940s and has been extensively remodeled since then and now features a large enclosed indoor area with a swimming pool and space for large group meetings. The Zaders previously owned lodging facilities in Texas, Wyoming and Arkansas. "We were attracted to the McCook community by the enthusiasm and pride of the people. We look forward to making this our home," they said. The Zaders bought the Chief from the Stewart family who had owned the motel since 1968.