I am the Paulrus
Jun 18, 2005, 02:46 AM
Hard Day's Nite, Beatles mini-museum on eBay
Saturday June 18, 2005
By Mona Sandefur, Staff writer
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/articles/2005/06/10/news/local_news/01.txt
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/content/articles/2005/06/10/news/local_news/01.jpg
The Hard Day's Night Bed and Breakfast, located at 113 McCann St. in Benton, has been listed for sale on eBay. Photo by Diana Winson
Dorothy Schultz said she and the other owners of the Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast and Beatles mini-museum are tired and want to retire, so the
world renowned operation has been placed on eBay.
"The bed and breakfast, the museum and its contents, and the adjoining property went on eBay yesterday," Schultz said Thursday. "The site reaches an international market. People from all over the world know about the success of the Beatles, and many have visited here as a result.
"In fact, Japan has the largest Beatles fan club in the world," Schultz said. "From the very beginning, this place has been famous. It is an unusual piece of merchandise. We have owned it for 10 years, and it has been full practically every day since we opened."
Schultz said she and her husband, Cornelius, and Daryl and Jim Shady own the properties.
"We have calls from everywhere and are always full," Schultz said. "We have wedding parties who rent the entire house and have had many compliments. We do everything from cleaning the rooms to making sure we have food available for our guests. Everyone compliments us on the cleanliness of the place."
Schultz said the property houses the largest collection of Beatles memorabilia in the Untied States.
"From the very beginning, 10 years ago when we opened, the story was picked up by The Associated Press and we have been busy ever since," Schultz said. "We don't even have to advertise. We have many repeat visitors, many who do not speak English. But they all know about the Beatles, and their smiles say it all."
The Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast was home to Louise Harrison, sister of Beatles member George Harrison, who vacationed there during September 1963.
Located at 113 McCann St., behind Benton Consolidated High School, the 1,900-square foot structure was constructed in 1930.
When Harrison visited his sister, Louise, the then-unknown British musician was destined for greatness. The following February, the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and the rest is history.
The house, built by descendants of explorer Merriweather Lewis, was purchased by the State of Illinois in 1994, and was scheduled for demolition to be turned into a parking lot.
A group of local residents became concerned that the history would be lost forever and, at the last moment, purchased the property. Restored to resemble the 1963 décor, the B and B opened for business in 1996.
In 2013, the property will qualify to become part of the national history landmarks registry, adding to its appeal.
The museum houses the famous turntable from the West Frankfort WFRX radio station, which played the first Beatles record heard in America, hand-delivered by George Harrison to the radio station.
The couch from Louise Harrison's New York apartment is part of the museum, and is where George Harrison slept when he visited his sister.
The B & B is comprised of four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, den, and a full basement is handicapped accessible from the 20-foot by 20-foot rear deck.
"One of the requirements of operating a bed and breakfast is the owner must either live in the building or nearby," Schultz said.
"Fortunately I live across the street, but the new owner would be able to live in the adjoining property."
The adjoining property is a brick home, currently used as a rental property, complete with five rooms, and a full basement. Schultz said the residence could be developed into an expanded museum and gift shop.
Schultz said that David McCollum, of McCollum Real Estate, is handling the sale.
Saturday June 18, 2005
By Mona Sandefur, Staff writer
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/articles/2005/06/10/news/local_news/01.txt
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/content/articles/2005/06/10/news/local_news/01.jpg
The Hard Day's Night Bed and Breakfast, located at 113 McCann St. in Benton, has been listed for sale on eBay. Photo by Diana Winson
Dorothy Schultz said she and the other owners of the Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast and Beatles mini-museum are tired and want to retire, so the
world renowned operation has been placed on eBay.
"The bed and breakfast, the museum and its contents, and the adjoining property went on eBay yesterday," Schultz said Thursday. "The site reaches an international market. People from all over the world know about the success of the Beatles, and many have visited here as a result.
"In fact, Japan has the largest Beatles fan club in the world," Schultz said. "From the very beginning, this place has been famous. It is an unusual piece of merchandise. We have owned it for 10 years, and it has been full practically every day since we opened."
Schultz said she and her husband, Cornelius, and Daryl and Jim Shady own the properties.
"We have calls from everywhere and are always full," Schultz said. "We have wedding parties who rent the entire house and have had many compliments. We do everything from cleaning the rooms to making sure we have food available for our guests. Everyone compliments us on the cleanliness of the place."
Schultz said the property houses the largest collection of Beatles memorabilia in the Untied States.
"From the very beginning, 10 years ago when we opened, the story was picked up by The Associated Press and we have been busy ever since," Schultz said. "We don't even have to advertise. We have many repeat visitors, many who do not speak English. But they all know about the Beatles, and their smiles say it all."
The Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast was home to Louise Harrison, sister of Beatles member George Harrison, who vacationed there during September 1963.
Located at 113 McCann St., behind Benton Consolidated High School, the 1,900-square foot structure was constructed in 1930.
When Harrison visited his sister, Louise, the then-unknown British musician was destined for greatness. The following February, the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and the rest is history.
The house, built by descendants of explorer Merriweather Lewis, was purchased by the State of Illinois in 1994, and was scheduled for demolition to be turned into a parking lot.
A group of local residents became concerned that the history would be lost forever and, at the last moment, purchased the property. Restored to resemble the 1963 décor, the B and B opened for business in 1996.
In 2013, the property will qualify to become part of the national history landmarks registry, adding to its appeal.
The museum houses the famous turntable from the West Frankfort WFRX radio station, which played the first Beatles record heard in America, hand-delivered by George Harrison to the radio station.
The couch from Louise Harrison's New York apartment is part of the museum, and is where George Harrison slept when he visited his sister.
The B & B is comprised of four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, den, and a full basement is handicapped accessible from the 20-foot by 20-foot rear deck.
"One of the requirements of operating a bed and breakfast is the owner must either live in the building or nearby," Schultz said.
"Fortunately I live across the street, but the new owner would be able to live in the adjoining property."
The adjoining property is a brick home, currently used as a rental property, complete with five rooms, and a full basement. Schultz said the residence could be developed into an expanded museum and gift shop.
Schultz said that David McCollum, of McCollum Real Estate, is handling the sale.