Owner of the new Holiday Inn Express, Kenny Patel, second from left, snips the ceremonial ribbon Thursday marking the opening of the hotel on Highway 17 in Richmond Hill.

On hand to celebrate were Mayor Harold Fowler, Hemu Patel, Radha Patel, Shirley Heagarty, assistant general manger Stephyne Wright, Chris Sheppard, Jim Gardner and Jidan Patel.

Formerly Comfort Suites with Choice Hotels International, the property opened as a Holiday Inn Express with IHG officially on Sept. 27.