A wave of change is coming to one of downtown Mobile’s most storied buildings. The historic Admiral Semmes Hotel at the corner of Government and Joachim streets has opened its doors to the public for a 15-day sale of gently used furniture, marking the first visible step toward a full renovation of the property.
The sale, which began at 10 a.m. and runs through Oct. 31, is being handled by Hotel Content Liquidators LLC, an Atlanta-based firm that specializes in clearing out hotel inventory ahead of remodeling projects. Shoppers can browse guestroom furniture, lobby pieces, bar and restaurant fixtures, banquet furniture and other accessories once used throughout the hotel.
Sale hours are set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with discounts on some items reaching as much as 80 percent off original cost. Organizers describe the event as a tag sale rather than an auction, meaning every item carries a set price and is sold as-is, where-is. Buyers have three days after purchase to arrange pickup, and the sale accepts cash along with Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
“The liquidation sale is a tag sale, not an auction. All items will be priced and sold as is and where is,” said Nicole Schlicher, co-owner and project manager for Hotel Content Liquidators.
This initial round of sales represents only the first of three planned liquidation phases at the hotel, according to organizers, and inventory is limited as a result. Dates for the second and third phases have not yet been announced, but more furniture and fixtures are expected to become available in the coming months as the property is further cleared out.
Built in 1940, the Admiral Semmes Hotel has long served as a gathering place for Mobile residents, hosting wedding receptions, business functions and dinners before performances by the Mobile Symphony. Its location in the heart of downtown has made it a familiar backdrop for generations of local celebrations.
“Nearly everyone I meet has made memories at the Historic Admiral Semmes Hotel, whether it was attending a loved one’s wedding reception or enjoying dinner and drinks before a night at the Mobile Symphony,” said Stephanie Ward Bondora, the hotel’s director of sales. “This sale is the first step in the remodel process, and we look forward to the renovation as it will inject new life into this corner of Government and Joachim.”
The furniture liquidation is expected to pave the way for renovation work at the aging hotel, part of a broader push to revitalize downtown Mobile’s historic commercial core. Property owners and city boosters alike have pointed to the renovation as a sign of continued investment in the district surrounding Government Plaza.
Shoppers interested in the remaining days of the sale are encouraged to visit the hotel in person during posted hours to view available inventory before it sells out.