Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Motel Safari, a fixture along Tucumcari's Route 66 for more than 60 years, is being put for sale by owner Larry Smith.
The Odeon Theatre in downtown Tucumcari has been put up for sale with an asking price of $275,000.
Two historic businesses in Tucumcari recently went on the market within a week of each other.
The owner of the Motel Safari announced on social he soon would list his property after six years of running the Route 66 landmark.
Meanwhile, the owners of the Odeon Theatre in downtown said they were advertising the venue being for sale.
Both properties will continue to operate while they're on the market.
Larry Smith, owner of the Motel Safari at 722 E. Tucumcari Blvd., purchased the property from Richard and Gail Talley in 2017. Motel Safari was built in 1959 by Chester Dohrer, who designed and built several motels in the city.
Two years ago, Smith and the Motel Safari received the New Mexico Route 66 Association's Heritage Award for its historic-friendly preservation and many improvements.
Smith stated in social media posts earlier this month he was "feeling that my time here at the Safari is drawing to a close," and he was putting the word out to prospective buyers.
"It's hugely important to me that the motel remains in the right hands and continues to build on its stellar reputation and forward path. It's a comeback story with many more chapters yet to be written," he wrote.
Interviewed Thursday in the lobby of his motel, Smith said he would elaborate more on the reasons for his eventual departure after the motel sells.
"It's more of personal decision," he said. "My intent was to (own it) for 10 years. Six in, I'm tired. It's been a bit exhausting. Staffing has been a big issue, especially the lack of a local workforce. It's a lot for one person (to operate). There are days I don't know how I do it.
"I'm tired and ready to do something else. I love the motel; our guests are great. Business is amazing. I'm proud of the work I've done, and I'm ready to turn it over to someone else who can keep it going."
Smith said he soon will list the property with a Clovis-based real-estate agent, but he's already received interest from those who have direct-messaged him through social media. He said he has a price tag in mind, but that won't be set until an appraisal is done.
Noting it took two years for the landmark Blue Swallow Motel to sell, Smith said it wouldn't surprise him if it takes up to a year for him to turn over the keys and return to his home state of Tennessee.
The husband-and-wife team of Robert Lopez and Christy Dominguez have owned the Odeon Theatre at 123 S. Second St. since 2013. In a social media post, the Odeon announced "with great pride and a bit of sadness" it was for sale.
In February, Dominguez said she wanted the City of Tucumcari to buy the venue and operate it, much like the Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa is operated. She also said the city would have been able to use grants to run the Odeon.
But apparently there was no interest. Dominguez noted the city is financially "bruised" after it donated $400,000 in lodgers tax funds for new lights for Tucumcari Public Schools' ballpark redevelopment project.
Dominguez, who is the theater's general manager, said personal obligations are preventing her from running the Odeon efficiently.
"For the theater to thrive, it needs to be the focus of someone's time, not a second or part-time job," she stated in a text.
Dominguez said the asking price is $275,000 "or best offer." She said she isn't using a real-estate agent to list the property.
On social media, Dominguez listed the theater's extensive renovations over the years that included upgrades to its projection, sound and climate-control systems. They also renovated the concessions area and hold a full food license.
"We've turned that place upside-down," she said. "The ceiling, the exterior paint and the sign are all that's left (to do). And I'm working on the exterior paint right now."
"The theater is doing good," she added. "We've had a good summer, with good sales."
Possible buyers should call Dominguez at (575) 403-8066 or Lopez at (575) 403-7955.
The Odeon, which opened in 1936, was designated to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Save for closures for renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater has been continuously operating for nearly 90 years.
