A Kansas businessman promised to preserve the famous house for fans of the 1980s cult classic film “The Goonies” after closing on the $1.6 million abode last week.
Behman Zakeri, a 46-year-old entrepreneur from the Sunflower State and lifelong fan of the film, told The Washington Post he bought the house in Astoria, Oregon, for $1.65 million and pledged to use it as a fan haven in honor of the film’s legacy.
“Somebody that was a true ‘Goonie’ needed to have it to kind of make sure that it didn’t go away,” Zakeri told The Post. “If the wrong person buys ‘The Goonies’ house, what if they do what Troy’s father wanted to do in the movie and bulldoze it and turn it into a golf course or something?”
In the 1985 film, the story follows a group of young misfits living in the “Goon Docks” neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon, who band together and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure after discovering an ancient map in the attic. The group embarks on the journey to find the treasure to buy out a developing company that plans on destroying the house and building a country club.
“Too many people’s hearts would break,” Zakeri added.
Zakeri said he plans to re-create the contraption that opened the property’s gate, which included a bowling ball, a balloon, a chicken, and a football. Other features he plans on restoring to pay homage to the “Goonies” crew include installing a zip line like the one Richard “Data” Wang rode in the movie and painting dark-red trim on the home’s exterior, The Post reported.
“I’m just super excited to try to be the best I can be for the ‘Goonies’ community,” he said.
Zakeri first had the idea to purchase the home after touring the two-story house in June 2015 for the film’s 30th anniversary.
The new owner approached its previous landlord Sandi Preston, who bought the property in 2001, saying he would “love to buy it” if she ever put it up for sale.
When the house hit the market last November, Zakeri contacted Preston within minutes after his friends notified him it had gone up for sale.
Zakeri contacted Jordan Miller, the property’s real estate agent, every day for a week until Miller confirmed he was “officially under contract for the ‘Goonies’ house.”
“I couldn’t really imagine much better of a buyer,” Miller told The Post. “There’s been concerns about, ‘Oh, is some big company going to come in and buy it, change a bunch of stuff or try to make money off the house?’ That’s not his vision whatsoever.”
Zakeri tagged several of the film’s original cast in a Twitter post last week, inviting them back to the home they once saved.
“HEY YOU GUYS! When are you guys coming to hang out @GooniesHouse 🏴☠️🏠,” Zakeri said.
Corey Feldman, who played Clark “Mouth” Devereaux, replied and congratulated Zekari. He also pleaded for the new owner to “Keep The Magic Alive.”
“Welcome 2 #THEGOONDOCKS,” Feldman said, adding, “always allow the fans of all ages access 2 take pics in front of your home,” Feldman said. “They will B eternally GR8FUL I Assure U! Good Luck Dude!”
Robert Davi, who portrayed Jake Fratelli, retweeted Zakeri’s post, saying, “There should be a 40 [anniversary] there.”
“DEAL,” Zakeri replied.