Have you ever been told to go to Hell? Well, now you might be able to own it instead. Or, at least, a big chunk of it.
A large swath of the famous hamlet, located just a few miles from Pinckney in Livingston County, was recently listed for $625,000 by Swisher Commercial. The listing includes more than seven acres along Patterson Lake Road — split between four parcels, two buildings and the established HellMI LLC.
The business has been profitable for many years, according to the listing, with over $327,000 in gross income in 2024.
“This is an extremely creative and multi-faceted business with literally 10 different mini-income sources accomplished on-site,” the listing reads.
John Colone, current owner, said the business will continue to operate daily while a buyer is sought. Colone, 80, said he’s ready for retirement and his family isn’t interested in taking over. He wants someone willing to keep the magic alive.
“I hope whoever has it gets as much enjoyment and fun coming up with ideas (as I did),” he said.
The tiny tourist destination in Putnam Township has long drawn visitors interested in playing along with the devilish theme. The two buildings include a 2,000-square-foot former restaurant and a 1,644-square-foot active retail shop, home to Screams Souvenirs and ice cream spot, the Crematory. Of note, the listing doesn’t include the separately owned Hell Saloon.
The sale does include Hell’s Chapel of Love, which has drawn plenty of couples looking for a quaint or unique wedding ceremony. According to Colone, the business’ busiest year saw over 400 weddings.
Other features include a putt-putt course, a scattering yard for ashes, and the Locks of Love Bridge — where couples can “lock away their love” and throw the key in the nearby creek.
Colone allows customers to become “mayor” of Hell for the day (or the hour), graduate from Damnation University, buy a piece of Hell or send burnt mail from the site’s post office.
As he walked through the site May 20, Colone described how he transformed the land — with puns and fun ideas — from the ground up. The business, he said, has drawn people from all over the world. He’s loved meeting visitors and making memories.
His only missed idea? Lodging. Maybe, he said, that’s something future ownership can add.
— Contact reporter Makayla Coffee at mcoffee@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Large swath of famous community for sale in Livingston County
Reporting by Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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