Did anyone catch that? Found this out two days after the fact The building stop is FOR SALE??????????????????
I didnt see the CBS This Morning episode, but was aware that Roadside America is for sale. On one hand, it hurts - my dad took me there, and I've taken my daughter. Been there many times over the years but it is a shell of its former self. The family refused to update things trying to keep it as "the creator made it", and missed out on opportunities. Not that they had to change it, but the past few years there have been few trains running, the place needs cleaning and some major upgrades to the building.
Not to far away is the Choo Choo Barn, which is cleaned and updated annually. Not major changes, but they do maintenance and clean up the display.
I would hate to see Roadside America close, however without significant investment, it looks like this dated but still wonderful exhibit will be gone.
It's true.
I didn't see the "CBS This Morning" show but according to "The Keystoner" column by Dale W. Woodland in this months "Railpace" magazine "Roadside America" is for sale at $2.295 million. The price includes the 7,000 square foot display plus two homes on the property. No reason is given for the sale.
The president of the Pennsylvania Americana Region, the visitors bureau covering Reading and Berks County, Crystal Seitz, is hoping whoever buys it plans on keeping it where it is, it's a major attraction for the area.
For those who may be wondering what we're talking about, here's an 11 minute "mini-documentary" that tells the "Roadside America" story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_qebKnGG10
My understanding is the younger family members want to do other things instead of running it - and I cannot blame them for wanting to go out on their own.
Billwiz My understanding is the younger family members want to do other things instead of running it - and I cannot blame them for wanting to go out on their own.
If that's the case I can't blame them either. It wouldn't be the first family business that was sold because the kids wanted to do something else with their lives.
It's a 23 acre parcel. I think the outcome most are hoping for is to subdivide one parcel and leave the layout intact for an owner to buy, leaving the other the 22 Acres as Prime commercial development property for sale. There has also been interest and an online GoFundMe type Page set up by a group who wants to buy the layout and its contents and relocate it.
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