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The old Gem Motel was owned and operated by Glenn and Ethel Mills from its opening in 1956 to 1985. I would guess the name "Gem" was derived from the initials of their first names and their last name. It sat almost directly across the street from the old Star Lite Motel and Cafe (see link on this page). The motel was operating as late as 2001 as a mention in the newspaper confirms.
Given the brick construction and position of the building, it appears the storage locker business that occupies the site (as of 2022) is using at least the shell structure of the old motel building. Sometimes its better for the permitting process to use the original building as the basis for the new so you can get "grandfathered in" as far as the building inspector is concerned.