ASTORIA, Ore. — For those who ever get an invite to go to the Astoria, Oregon handmade well-known by the 1985 film "The Goonies," do not count on the brand new proprietor to simply allow you to in.
Behman Zakeri has massive plans.
"I wish to construct the entrance contraption that was within the film," he instructed us through Zoom. "You recognize when Mouth made Chunk do the truffle shuffle to get by means of the entrance gate. I really feel like that is the largest a part of the home and also you simply cannot let individuals in except they stand on the tree stump and do the truffle shuffle.
"The one difficult factor is how will we get a reside hen to drop the egg each single time?"
Zakeri is a Kansas Metropolis entrepreneur who owns a enterprise that sells collectible buying and selling playing cards. He additionally has a Bury The Hatchet franchise, performs in poker tournaments, and is a large Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan.
It is uncommon to see Zakeri with no Chiefs sweatshirt on, however for our interview, he was carrying his white "Goonies" t-shirt (he has multiple).
"This second is totally surreal," he instructed us. "It was a childhood dream. From the time I noticed the 'Goonies' once I was eight years previous, I've dreamed of sometime proudly owning the 'Goonies' home and discovering One-Eyed Willy's treasure so that is unbelievable. It truly is."
Zakeri, who purchased the home for $1.65 million, mentioned he sees himself as a caretaker of the property.
"The explanation I am shopping for it's for the group," Zakeri mentioned. "Any person's acquired to be the caretaker, anyone's acquired to protect the landmark. Any person has to maintain it authentic and never get demoed."
He mentioned he and spouse Liz solely plan to reside in Astoria part-time.
The home, which is in a residential neighborhood within the coastal Oregon metropolis of Astoria, has attracted followers of the film for years. Its new proprietor hopes to maintain it accessible for vacationers who wish to pay a go to.
"Goonies are welcome," Zakeri mentioned.
He mentioned he has no downside with followers taking selfies on the property — he was as soon as one himself — and solely requested that they be respectful of the encircling neighborhood.
Reputation amongst vacationers was at instances a sticky topic for the house's earlier proprietor. After the thirtieth anniversary of the movie introduced as many as 1,500 guests a day to the home, the proprietor briefly lined the home in tarps and posted “no trespassing” indicators prohibiting vacationers from strolling as much as the property. She later reopened the house to the general public. Town of Astoria additionally imposed strict fines for parking in "no parking" areas within the neighborhood due to the quantity of vacationer visitors.
"We will arrange some very nice cameras and watch the home remotely," Zakeri mentioned. "We wish to ensure that every thing is ok however if you're not residing at a home like that full-time it is extra of a trip if you go go to your own home."
It is going to be particularly enjoyable as a result of Zakeri's subsequent door neighbor is an previous buddy.
Zakeri first noticed "The Goonies" in the summertime of 1985 together with his greatest buddy Michael. They've each performed properly for themselves so when the "Goonies" home went available on the market they made a pact.
"I mentioned I will purchase the 'Goonies' home in case you purchase the home subsequent door and so actually we're going be neighbors once more after 30-some years," Zakeri mentioned. "How is that this potential? It is like we reside fortunately ever after."
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