Update: Bill's Lighthouse Inn doesn't sell at auction
Bill's Lighthouse Inn was auctioned today in South Baltimore.
But owner Adele Wedemeyer, who took over the bar when her husband William died, rejected the high bid of $475,000.
Wedemeyer had previously listed the property on Craigslist at $775,000.
Up for auction were the four buildings that comprise the property, the bar's liquor license, and the bar/restaurant's equipment and furniture.
About 20 people turned up for the auction, which took place today at 11 a.m., said auctioneer Nick Luciani, of Alex Cooper Auctioners. He said they hadn't settled on a new listing price yet.
But, "It's still available," he said.
William Wedemeyer owned the bar for nearly 30 years before he died last year. Adele couldn't be reached for comment.
Update: Just spoke with Adele Wedemeyer. She said the bar won't close any time soon.
"It'll stay in business until I get a buyer down the road," she said. The bar will soon be re-listed for $625,000, though she said she would consider offers.
She said the highest bid at the auction wasn't enough for her.
"I didn't want to give it away because it is successful," she said.
Photo: Alex Cooper Real Estate Services
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
475k - I hope she gets what she wants but 475k seems like a fair price. Best of luck to everybody involved.
who bid 475k?
that is a big piece of property, maybe the circulator can drive by it and provide it with some business. I always heard that they have some of the best steamed crabs in Baltimore.
Posted by: anon;) | December 8, 2010 1:37 PM
for realz, for the life of me I cannot figure out why the purple route doesn't extend all the way to Wells, what with the extensive apartment complex and institute for the blind, could provide a lot of exposure to places like Bill's and Rub (and that place across the st. from bill's with no name) to boot. i guess the street isn't wide enough or something
Posted by: Evan | December 8, 2010 2:01 PM
Evan,
That's just common sense talking. If the purple line went that far a lot more businesses would do well,
Ropewalk
Catherine's Pub
Rub
Reserve
Muggsy's
Don't Know
Rowhouse
Bill's
Maybe they will change a few things up if they do another line up Fort Avenue.
By the way did anybody participate in the bar crawl last night in Federal Hill, Festive of Flavors? It was hundreds of older people that usually complain about bar crawls, bar crawling;) Oh the hypocrisy!
Posted by: jason z | December 8, 2010 3:31 PM
I agree with Jason. The Purple line does go pretty far north, but why not go just a few more blocks to include all the great places down light street? Also, Bill's Lighthouse has always had the best crabs and crab cakes in town. I wish the family the best!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2010 5:15 PM