“Most are kind, fun and welcome, but many are not”, the sign continues.
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The house from the 1980’s Richard Donner-directed Steven Spielberg-produced classic The Goonies has been shut down by the property owner after she was sent over the edge by movie fans. She said too many recent fans felt entitled to the experience, and some have even picked fights with her. There was an increased presence of Goonies fans who came through Astoria for the 30th anniversary celebration in Astoria this summer, and that likely increased the lady’s frustration.
City signs prohibit fans from parking in the neighborhood, and another tells visitors “Access closed to Goonies house”.
The legendary home, in Astoria, Oregon, has seen a whopping 1,500 visitors daily since the city tried to increase the Goonies tourism trade.
“She was overwhelmed and looking for help to try to get some semblance of normal life back”, she said.
Though the narrow, dead-end street is still open to the public, Preston wants fans to respect her privacy and stay off of the premises.
“The (caliber) of people/generations is changing, and not for the better”, she wrote, according to The Daily Astorian (the Facebook group is now closed). “It’s been unrestricted for 14 years and we are worn out.” What a sad outcome, for a movie that celebrates teamwork amongst a band of outcasts.
“Most people… think that it’s an attraction, when it really, in fact, is a private residence”, he added. The house owner had been fine with fans visiting the property for years.
Warren estimates that between 10,000 and 15,000 people visited the Goonies house during the 30th anniversary celebration in June.
If I were the home owner of The Goonies house, I would sell the property to someone who can deal with the madness.
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“The next time you see sky, it’ll be over another town”.
