By Katy Savage
The Killington Mall has a new owner.
Robert “Sal” Salmeri, the owner of Moguls Sports Pub and Restaurant, bought the building on Killington Road for $475,000 at an auction on Tuesday, May 21.
“Call it a pet project of mine,” Salmeri said. “I’ve liked that building for years. It’s part of Killington history.”
Salmeri, who was the only bidder on Tuesday, says he plans to bring three new businesses to the mall.
The 22,500 square foot building with four acres has four residential tenants, and houses four businesses – two restaurants and two retail spaces, including Outback Pizza, the Killington Diner, and the former Killington Art Garage and Darkside Snowboard Shop.
Salmeri declined to say how the businesses would change until he closes on the sale. “Right now I’m mulling over what I’m going to do,” Salmeri said.
The building was owned by Rodney Viccari who purchased it in 1981 out of bankruptcy. “I’ve had enough,” Viccari said. “I’ve owned it for such a long period of time. It was a toy for me. It was a place to escape on the weekends. It got to a point where I was tired of it.”
Viccari said Salmeri has tried to buy the building in the past. “He’s been itching to buy it for a long time,” Viccari said. “He has some good ideas. I think it will be a breath of fresh air up there.”
Salmeri, who has owned Moguls for 25 years, said he’s not afraid to work hard. “It needs someone to care for it,” Salmeri said of the mall building.”I think businesses being open helps the community more.”
Nathan Auction and Real Estaten handled the auction. The sale will close in 45 days.
