POTTSVILLE -- A long-time landmark in Schuylkill County that closed its doors nearly three years ago is getting another chance.
The Pottsville Club that stood in the city for more than 100 years will soon have new owners.
Applause broke out as the mayor of Pottsville shook hands with the two men who will soon be the proud owners of the Pottsville Club.
The mayor announced that the now-shuttered long-time landmark would soon be under new ownership, immediately after his state of the city address.
“The former Pottsville Club, the building was always a part of Pottsville and I really mean this when I say this, it's going to remain a part of Pottsville,” said Mayor James Muldowney.
The mayor made this announcement fittingly inside a banquet room at the Pottsville Club, where both city officials and residents came out to hear.
“Yes very happy, very exciting to hear,” said Marie Miller.
The 125-year-old Pottsville staple closed its doors in October 2013.
It was bought at sheriff's auction by Miner's Bank, but then donated back to the city's Redevelopment Authority.
Now Robert and Keith Maley, a father and son team from Saint Clair, will soon hold the deed to the Pottsville Club, and say they plan to use it as a banquet facility.
“Event venues, so if you have a wedding or a birthday party, or a political party you could rent from us,” said Keith Maley. “We're going to have four or five established caterers in the area that we're going to work with on a regular basis.”
“And we're going to hire local people and throw money back into the community,” Robert Maley told the crowd.
“I think it's great. I think maybe they'll make something good out of it. People need a place to go where they can have banquets and weddings and stuff,” said Tom Dallago.
The city and the Maleys say the deal should be finalized in the next month or so.
The city administrator estimates the sale price is $230,000.