Model Railroading > Roadside America in Sharltesville, PA to close permanently

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the permanent closure of Roadside America after 85 years of business," the Facebook post said. "Nearly three years ago, we decided to place the display for sale, hoping to find a buyer who would continue business operations. Despite meeting with multiple interested parties over the last two years, each with their own unique vision, none committed to moving forward with the village. When we closed our doors in March in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remained hopeful that someone would come forward and commit to the business. As months passed and the future of tourism remained uncertain, we ultimately made the difficult decision to do what is best for our family and pursue other options."

Copied from the following article:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/roadside-america-in-shartlesville-to-close-permanently/article_0cb7b364-2ce2-11eb-88eb-67c1568e6823.html

Here's a link to the Roadside America website: https://roadsideamerica.co




 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/20 18:53 by RuleG.

I was first exposed to Roadside America via the pages of Toy Trains magazine in the early 50's.  Finally got to visit first hand in 1960.  Very impressive.  Many buildings out of scale in proportion to the trains but still the workmanship had to be admired.  It was entertainment for a block of time in history.  

I first went to Roadside America when I was 6 years old - 60 years ago! I was overwhelmed with the display and couldn't wait to go back and visit again. Yes, things were out of proportion, but what a neat place it was to visit! 

This press release really feels like they're trying to put a sympathetic spin on their situation. The way I read it is that they had received offers from prospective buyers, but the offers didn't align with what the sellers had in mind as the long-term viability for the proprty so they didn't sell and now they're stuck with it. The pandemic hit and its a good excuse to cut their losses and close it now.

Locoinsp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I first went to Roadside America when I was 6
> years old - 60 years ago! I was overwhelmed with
> the display and couldn't wait to go back and visit
> again. Yes, things were out of proportion, but
> what a neat place it was to visit! 

I was probably about that age too! To a little kid, it was fantastic!

TJY

RailBaron84 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This press release really feels like they're
> trying to put a sympathetic spin on their
> situation. The way I read it is that they had
> received offers from prospective buyers, but the
> offers didn't align with what the sellers had in
> mind as the long-term viability for the proprty so
> they didn't sell and now they're stuck with it.
> The pandemic hit and its a good excuse to cut
> their losses and close it now.

Interesting take. With a place like this, it is very possible that the owners had an inflated concept of what the place is worth and was asking too high of a price. As a business, it really isn't worth all that much as I doubt that it made them a lot of money. The value that people like us put on it is much more a sentimental or nostalgic value rather than a monetary value. I think there is also a historical value to the place that also doesn't pay much -- but I honestly think a case could be made by the Smithsonian to preserve it as it is a piece of American history. Problem is it could be a difficult sell to them as it is not something that could be moved to Washington DC and they haven't been all that interested in preserving scattered sites around the country.

From the owner's perspective, the value of the property might be higher without the model display as I'm sure it would be problematic to maintain in operating condition and run it as a profitable business. That likely is why they have been looking to sell for a while now.

It's a sad day, but it's a difficult thing to sell in today's world.

Posted from Android

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With a place like this, it is
> very possible that the owners had an inflated
> concept of what the place is worth and was asking
> too high of a price. As a business, it really
> isn't worth all that much as I doubt that it made
> them a lot of money. The value that people like
> us put on it is much more a sentimental or
> nostalgic value rather than a monetary value.
>
> It's a sad day, but it's a difficult thing to sell
> in today's world.

As I read the piece about Roadside America, the
same thing occurred to me.  It probably isn't uncommon
for value by owner to be different than actual value in
terms of a price someone is willing to pay.  The owner
has put a lot of personal time, energy and money over
the years to that surely make a place like that "worth"
more to him than what buyers are willing to pay.  It's
probably common.

Sentimental value is usually higher than monitary
and with the pandemic putting a squeeze on tourist
related income, it, sadly, has force some marginal
enterprises into closure.  The only hope here is
that someone may save some of the things for 
displayin a museum or something.

Cheers,
Jim

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
 The value that people like
> us put on it is much more a sentimental or
> nostalgic value rather than a monetary value. I
> think there is also a historical value to the
> place that also doesn't pay much -- but I honestly
> think a case could be made by the Smithsonian to
> preserve it as it is a piece of American history.
> Problem is it could be a difficult sell to them as
> it is not something that could be moved to
> Washington DC and they haven't been all that
> interested in preserving scattered sites around
> the country.
>
The Department of the Interior, not the Smithsonian Institution, is the lead federal entity to preserve historic sites.