Cavechat.org

What a dream to own your own cave and work with folks that want to explore it. Anyway, down in Arkansas, there's a cave up for bid on eBay, of all places, and you might be interested. The price is down to the high $800K from his $1.2K originally desired. Here's the link for the story: http://ap.google.com:80/article/ALeqM5j ... wD947QJ5G0 And, then of course, go to eBay and see how the bidding is doing.

(a) why does having an admittedly failing business on your property make your property worth 3x what it should go for? is someone supposed to pay a high premium so they, too, can own a financially unsustainable show cave?

(b) those are the best photos he could come up with? really?

xcathodex wrote:(a) why does having an admittedly failing business on your property make your property worth 3x what it should go for? is someone supposed to pay a high premium so they, too, can own a financially unsustainable show cave?

(b) those are the best photos he could come up with? really?

His numbers may be down but I wouldn't call it a failing business exactly. Tourism has taken a hit across the board but Steve still has three very nice caves, two of them developed and attracting paying visitors. There is good potential for an adventure tour in one and I feel a strong possibility of extension in two of the caves. He and his wife have worked hard to develop a quality product and establish a customer base. I think you have to like caves to be in the business. It's not something to get rich on but the right person(s) could make a comfortable living.
If Boone County ever votes wet everyone in the county stands to enjoy a surge in business, considering its proximity to Branson, MO.

ArCaver wrote:strong possibility of extension in two of the caves.

Now you're talking my language. Let's go!

ArCaver wrote:If Boone County ever votes wet everyone in the county stands to enjoy a surge in business, considering its proximity to Branson, MO.

Yes but if Boone Co ever goes wet the surrounding counties will suffer huge economic hits... LOL.

I grew up not 20 minutes from this cave in Boone Co - and I've never been there. It has been up for sale more than once before now, I think.

Yeah, Jason, like twenty years ago--For sure! Unless you're referring to some time between when they purchased the property and now.

Boston Grotto is pretty neat place to be from. If I recall, you've had a pretty neat cave geologist from there, who instructs at national conventions, now and then???

Hey Ernie... You mean Dr. Van Brahana?

I believe it was more like George Veni, but who now lives in New Mexico...if I'm not mistaken.

Doesn't ring a bell. Do you have Boston Grotto and Boston Mountain Grotto mixed up?

BMG is in Arkansas. Good ol' Ozarks karst country.

That's very possible, Jason. I do know that George is quite involved with the NSS Convention next year, in Texas, so...maybe when we're down there, we'll find out for sure. I know Buck Cobb used to be in the same area, as he's the one that introduced me...back a few years or so ago.

Wait, how did this conversation drift away from the tantalizing "strong possibility for extension?"

Sorry Jeff... If you really want a hairy OT session I'll ask you about mapping.

SpeleoRover wrote:Sorry Jeff... If you really want a hairy OT session I'll ask you about mapping.

anytime, man, you've got my email. but we should still talk to the owner of this cave about extending it for him!