County sells former Apollo Restaurant in Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Apollo Family Restaurant, located at 13939 State Route 31 West and 13927 State Route 31 West, has a new owner.

ALBION – The former Apollo Restaurant was purchased today from Orleans County, which became owner of the site after several years of unpaid taxes.

The property is on Route 31, just west of the village. Rick and Dawn Stacey offered $125,000 for the property and the County Legislature unanimously approved the bid this afternoon.

Stacey, owner of RS Automation, said the site “is a great location.” He is considering options for the property.

He said the site will be improved. He also owns other properties on Route 98, including the building for Weedman and the former Starkweather Freight Lines. Stacey said he upgraded those buildings and has worked with the tenants to grow their businesses.

“Everything I’ve done I’ve put a lot of effort in,” Stacey said. “I’m optimistic about it. It’s a nice piece of property.”

Ted Scharping, a long-time local real estate investor, bid $151,500 for the property, but the Legislature selected Stacey’s bid. Scharping didn’t submit a bid in writing until today, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer.

The property had been on the market for many months, and was listed by Peter Snell Realtors in Albion for $164,900.

Scharping said the former diner is a desirable piece of property. He said a father and son wanted to reopen the place as a restaurant.