March 20, 2009 12:41 pm
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Shangri-La set for auction, demolition
AFTON, Okla. — It’ll take six days for the contents to disappear and then Shangri-La, like the mythical paradise for which it is named, will vanish from the shores of Grand Lake of the Cherokees.
The Shangri-La Resort and Convention Center, which at its zenith was valued at more than $50 million and employed 500 to 700 people, is being demolished to make way for new luxury condominiums.
Before that can happen, the contents of Oklahoma’s premier lakefront resort must be sold at auction.
Auctioneer J.B. Robison, of Vinita, is hopeful six days will be enough time to get rid of 45 years of stuff.
“Imagine a half dozen businesses are selling out on Range Line in Joplin. Let’s say four major restaurants, an office-supply company, a fitness center and an average- size hotel are all holding auctions at the same time,’’ he said. “That’s what is happening here.
“Oh yeah, you can add a commercial laundry to that list,’’ he said. “This will be the biggest auction this area has ever seen.’’
The auction will be held Tuesday through Thursday of next week, and on Wednesday through Friday of the week after that. Pre-auction viewing will take place from noon to 5 p.m. today and Sunday.
For more on this story see Saturday's Joplin Globe.
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