FAIRBORN — Acme Auto Parts was an auto parts business located within the Wright Motel in Fairborn back in the 1990s. However, when the owner of the former business shut the operation down and left town, he or she also left behind all the auto parts associated with the store, which have sat on the shelves, undisturbed, for more than 20 years.
Fast forward to 2017, in which the city is preparing to demolish the Wright Motel due to its uninhabitable status, and the auto parts are found — with no owner in site. The solution? Auction the auto parts off and start a demolition fund to benefit the city with the proceeds. It is slated for 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the Wright Motel, 18 South Broad Street.
The city already owns the Wright Motel. Therefore, the city owns its inner contents as well.
“[The parts] are everywhere — the shelves,” Director of Neighborhood Betterment Missy Frost said. “[Acme Auto Parts] was literally open one day, [then the owner] locked the doors and walked away — and everything was left.”
Frank Manns will take the microphone and serve as the auctioneer. The auto parts are expected to be old, accommodating vehicles from the 1990s and prior. If individuals are unable to haul away their newly-bought belongings from the auction Wednesday evening, the city plans to open the facility back up on Thursday, May 25 to allow individuals to pick up their new “old” auto parts.
Some parts concerning the auto body have been donated to the Greene County Career Center to encourage student learning. Whatever does not sell on Wednesday will be demolished along with the motel.
“Some are still usable parts,” Frost said. “Granted, they’re older parts, but there’s so many old car enthusiasts out there. There’s a market for those items.”
The Wright Motel, in addition to a duplex located on the 600 block of East Main Street, is going up for bidding Thursday, May 25 which will result in the blighted facilities being demolished. Frost said typically the demolition, itself, will take place approximately two weeks after bidding.
