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Gold Club still of interest

Last November, workmen placed a for sale sign on the former Gold Club. A year later the property is still vacant. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE Almost a year after it went on the market, the former Gold Club site is still vacant, and the one buyer who expressed public interest in the property still would like to own it.

The problem is the price tag of $2.5 million.

Fitchburg attorney John Mick, the president of Pet Resorts International LLC, said last week the company that had wanted to place an upscale pet kennel and spa at the former strip club, told Reminder Publications he still has "an avid interest" in the property.

Mick explained the asking price "is not realistic."

John Williamson of Williamson Commercial Properties said the property was under contract to Pet Resorts and was supposed to close on Sept. 25. The contract was cancelled, though, when that closing and several other scheduled closings did not take place.

The contract was for a price that was under $2.5 million , he said.

Williamson said he would "welcome a new revised offer with open arms."

he added the property has attracted the attention of some other interested parties.

According to the press release issued by Pet Resorts International, "after due-diligence, the offer was withdrawn due to an impasse with some of the company's investors who believed the property had too many problems and was in an economically unviable area."

The company announced last week that it would be opening its Pets Inn of America Springfield location at 100 Verge St. in Indian Orchard where a former pet care facility was based. The company is renovating the building to provide more services for both dogs and cats.

Despite that facility being just a few miles away from the Gold Club site, Mick said the company's plans remain the same if they bought the Gold Club. They want to expand the over 19,000 square foot building by adding an additional floor for the pet facility and use the rest of the 20 acre parcel for a Superior Outlets Shopping Center.

Superior Outlets is the brand name for shopping centers developed by Atlantic Cascade Corporation of West Springfield. Atlantic Cascade is the developer working with Pet Resorts International and is headed by Mick's brother Patrick.

Although Mick said the company's plans are still in a preliminary stage, but that he still believes a pet resort at the Gold Club property would be a "timely and popular concept."

"There's a need for it [the pet resort]. It would dovetail nicely with the rest of our plans," he added.