EAST AURORA, N.Y. (WBEN).........Vidler's 5 & 10 - an iconic East Aurora and regional retailing destination- has been put up for sale, as has, separately the Main Street real estate that houses the business.
The bittersweet decision was made by Vidler's third generation owner Don Vidler and his cousin Cliff DeFlyer, after the next generation of family members offered no desire to keep running the business.
"Cliff and I are approaching that retirement age and there is no heir apparent in the family," Don Vidler said. "It is a little bittersweet. We had hoped we could keep the family legacy going."
Vidler stressed the store remains open and will continue to remain open.
"We're in no rush." Vidler said. "It's business as usual."
The buildings that stretch from 676 Main Street to 694 Main Street and cover 25,000-square-feet are listed with Century-21's Jerrold Thompson with a $2,749 million asking price.
There has been some preliminary interest in the buildings, Thompson said.
"There's been a lot of activity," Thompson said. "It is part of the East Aurora experience."
Besides the Vidler's legacy and the historic nature of the buildings - some of which date back the 1800s - there is another key selling point - the property's key Main Street location, Thompson said.
"They help make Main Street what it is," Thompson said.
Vidler said business sale price is subject to negotiations, with no floor asking price listed.
Vidler's has been in the buildings since the store made its debut in June, 1930
In a historical note: Future U.S. President Millard Fillmore maintained his law office in the building years before he ascended to the White House as the nation's 13th president and the last member of the Whig Party to serve as president.
Vidler said, in a perfect business world, the same buyer would acquire both the business and real estate as part of the same transaction.
That said, if they are sold separately, that's okay too, Vidler said.
"We would hope whoever the buyer is, they would want both," Vidler said.
For now, it remains business as usual at Vidler's, which even on its slowest, mid-week days still attracts as many as 750 shoppers per day.
Vidler's is more than just a local draw.
Tourists - especially bus tours from across the country and other nations too - make the trek to East Aurora to shop at Vidler's.
The store has served as the backdrop for many movies shot in the region.
And, yes, if the new buyers want Don and Cliff are willing to stick around as advisors - but, that decision is up to whoever buys the business.
"The timing of all of this comes at a good point for Cliff and myself," Vidler said.
Vidler's Main Street buildings and business are on the market
Vidler's Main Street buildings and business are on the market
