Adventure City is here to stay!

[robbalvey]

Hobby City to stick around

Soft real estate market causes indefinite delay to Stanton condo deal.

 

By ADAM TOWNSEND and ELLYN PAK

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

 

STANTON The iconic Hobby City and the adjoining Adventure City on Beach Boulevard are here to stay, vendors say.

 

The 10-acre cluster of shops selling coins, baseball cards, lizards and model cars outside a mini children's theme park was slated to become another cluster of condominiums. The plaza had been selling its wares to hobbyists for more than fifty years and has become a landmark in the neighborhoods surrounding it.

A half-size replica of the White House, once home to a Hobby City owner, continues on as a toy and doll museum.

 

The owner of the property announced negotiations to sell the property in November of 2005.

 

This December, the Orange County landmark was to shutter.

 

But it won't.

 

Because of the softening real estate market, the deal between Hobby City landlord Allan Ansdell, Jr. and housing developer Brandywine Homes has fallen through for the time being.

 

“The message to the tenants right now is there is no need to relocate immediately,” said Hobby City property broker Greg Sullivan. He spoke on behalf of Ansdell.

 

“There may be a decision to pull the whole thing off the market for a period of time, a desire to look at only part and allow Hobby City to continue operating, or there may be an outright sale,” Sullivan said.

 

Jim Barisic, chairman of developer Brandywine Homes, which was slated to build on the property, said that company, the city of Stanton and the property owner were still interested in eventually developing the property, despite the real estate business' current woes.

 

Meanwhile, Hobby City tenants say they are relieved they don't have to move right away. Bosco Challogan is owner of Prestige Hobby and one of a half-dozen tenants on the property.

 

“It was a big relief,” Challogan said. “When we heard we had to leave, there was definitely a little bit of panic. We've been here for so long and you have to move all this stuff – it's a little bit scary.”

 

Over the years

 

1955:Hobby City debuts. That same year, Disneyland opens with 28,000 visitors the first day.

 

1972: Founder Beatrice "Bea" DeArmond wants to quit commuting to work at Hobby City. Her husband, Jay, builds a half-size replica of the White House on Hobby City grounds and Bea moves in upstairs.

 

1982: Jay DeArmond dies of a heart attack.

 

1994: DeArmond children build Adventure City, a children's theme park on a neighboring five acres. "The people said, 'Are you crazy? There's Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland nearby,' " Allan Ansdell would recall.

 

2002: Bea DeArmond dies at the age of 89.

[PURE]

Well this is good to hear! Maybe this trend will slow the constant home building going on all around the city, cause really, its getting ridiculous!

 

Although I've never been to Adventure City, it may be nice to take my kids there sometime in the future.

[Shockwave]

Haha, I might be able to get my missing credits there after all!

 

Now I just have to buy an ACE t-shirt.

[RIP Psyclone]

^Exactly, me too, and I live relatively close. I heard in a TR, I think it was JimmyBo's, that they are selective in admittance. They don't really want to admit individuals and non-family groups. If so, f*** that!

[Shockwave]

I'd just call them and let them know that you're a coaster geek coming down to ride the credits and then leave. That way there's no surprises.

 

Gullivers World in the UK is like that, but I just called in advance and they let me in.

[Scaparri]

This is good to hear. I've been hoping that when I finally make it out to SoCal this park will still be open. Hopefully, with this news, I won't have to worry anymore.