Why don't EPE buy the Circle G Ranch?

[vivaelvis]

I read an online article about an Elvis fan group lobbying to save the Circle G Ranch in Horn Lake, MS just outside of Memphis and Whitehaven. EPE should consider purchasing the 157-acre land where Elvis once had a small house and kept horses on the property. It's only 10.3 miles from Graceland and practically a straight shot off of HW 51 which turns into Elvis Presley Boulevard. EPE could use it for many projects including an Elvis fan fest with live music events. Build a new hotel among other things. They could even build the largest Elvis-gift store there and sell all of their ducks at a rapid pace (sarcasm). The more they have to offer fans and visitors for the full Elvis experience, the more financial income they will make annually which in terms builds up and expands the company business. That's the whole reason that they merged with CKX to begin with. Was to expand their perimeters. I know they have said in the past that they have no desire to own that land, but it seems as a no brainer to me.

[King Of The Whole World]

I know I read about the group trying to raise the money to buy the property and how EPE doesn’t want anything to do with it. I just don’t understand EPE's logic either. They should know that people are still going to go to Graceland and not choose just the Circle G. It’s not going to hurt the attendance at Graceland. I have always wondered if there is something about that property that brings back bad memories or something for Priscilla.

I agree that it could be come a good tourist location, probably only the die hard fans like us would go and not the average Joe. I could see having horses over there, Elvis shops, weddings and maybe even small cabins for people to rent.

I just hate to see this place go to some shopping mall or something. It would be nice for the group to be able to purchase the ranch and do some nice things with it. I also know that they will probably have some TROUBLE from EPE for using Elvis' name. So they will have to be creative for over coming those battles.

[vivaelvis]

I know I read about the group trying to raise the money to buy the property and how EPE doesn’t want anything to do with it. I just don’t understand EPE's logic either. They should know that people are still going to go to Graceland and not choose just the Circle G. It’s not going to hurt the attendance at Graceland. I have always wondered if there is something about that property that brings back bad memories or something for Priscilla.

I agree that it could be come a good tourist location, probably only the die hard fans like us would go and not the average Joe. I could see having horses over there, Elvis shops, weddings and maybe even small cabins for people to rent.

I just hate to see this place go to some shopping mall or something. It would be nice for the group to be able to purchase the ranch and do some nice things with it. I also know that they will probably have some TROUBLE from EPE for using Elvis' name. So they will have to be creative for over coming those battles.

Exactly my point!

Prior to the US recession in 2007 there were major plans for a $500 million redevelopment of that land into a upscale golf course and country club, grand hotel and a theme park. But the owner wanted to specifically use Elvis' name and likeness which Sillerman and EPE threatened them with a lawsuit and it killed the plans instantly along with the economic meltdown. The developer should have found a loop hole and called it Presleyville then nobody could have blocked it. CKX and EPE only own the naming rights to Elvis not the family name. That's what you call thinking outside of the box.

[KPM]

Well this ranch is very close to Memphis-a short drive so perhaps there is worry that the closeness would be a problem for attendance.
My own thoughts are that it could be a dude type ranch with an Elvis theme-but then you get into horses, wagons, hayrides, as forms of entertainment and that could be an insurance nightmare. Overhead would be huge.
What would the start up costs be for such a project, is the area developed with a sewer system, electricity that is easily connected, gas connections, I am not that familiar with the ranch as it is today-I do recall when Elvis bought it in 66 that it was pretty much undeveloped except for cattle raising.
Didn't they bring in trailers and generators when they stayed there?

If I recall correctly Elvis was very happy at first, according to many playing cowboy, roughing it... etc....but became bored very quickly after the initial fun and newness wore off. It was a diversion from the boredom of his movies and his frustrations.
He also had homes just about as long in Palm Springs, Trousdale Estates etc.....so the only thing different is that this is a large amount of untapped acerage close to Graceland.
Finally lets face it-the plans that CKX had were changing-they had trouble it seems focusing on one direction and following thru.....I would hate to see Apollo now go down the same road with lack of focus and ever changing ideas and plans.
If Apollo had this in mind when they bought CKX-I guess then its logical that this will be part of their expansion plans, if they did not have it in their plans it would be foolish to change direction and funds into a totally new idea that has not been part of their ideas and goals from day one of their buyout.
If Elvis had stayed happy at the ranch indefinitely-like he was at Graceland....I could understand wanting to somehow keep it in the family but from what I have read and understand it was a shortlived diversion for a period of time.

[vivaelvis]

Well this ranch is very close to Memphis-a short drive so perhaps there is worry that the closeness would be a problem for attendance.
My own thoughts are that it could be a dude type ranch with an Elvis theme-but then you get into horses, wagons, hayrides, as forms of entertainment and that could be an insurance nightmare. Overhead would be huge.
What would the start up costs be for such a project, is the area developed with a sewer system, electricity that is easily connected, gas connections, I am not that familiar with the ranch as it is today-I do recall when Elvis bought it in 66 that it was pretty much undeveloped except for cattle raising.
Didn't they bring in trailers and generators when they stayed there?

If I recall correctly Elvis was very happy at first, according to many playing cowboy, roughing it... etc....but became bored very quickly after the initial fun and newness wore off. It was a diversion from the boredom of his movies and his frustrations.
He also had homes just about as long in Palm Springs, Trousdale Estates etc.....so the only thing different is that this is a large amount of untapped acerage close to Graceland.
Finally lets face it-the plans that CKX had were changing-they had trouble it seems focusing on one direction and following thru.....I would hate to see Apollo now go down the same road with lack of focus and ever changing ideas and plans.
If Apollo had this in mind when they bought CKX-I guess then its logical that this will be part of their expansion plans, if they did not have it in their plans it would be foolish to change direction and funds into a totally new idea that has not been part of their ideas and goals from day one of their buyout.
If Elvis had stayed happy at the ranch indefinitely-like he was at Graceland....I could understand wanting to somehow keep it in the family but from what I have read and understand it was a shortlived diversion for a period of time.

Are you aware that Elvis had planned to build his dream home there once? It was to mimic the White House in Washington DC. He even had blue prints supposedly drawn up for what it was to look like.

EPE could use the land as a way to keep people in Memphis for more than a day. Maybe build an outdoor amphitheater on the land for weekly concerts.


"Come to Memphis, see Graceland, and then go down to Horn Lake to the Circle G Ranch and spend a night in relaxation and be netertained".

[max]

Already the number of visitors decreases year after year to Graceland, it's not going to buy a property in revenues would be hypothetical.

We know the policy of EPE!

Money, and right away

http://www.dessaintes.webbuilder02.h...page140524.htm

[buttonhead]

max ... thanks for sharing the link.. never read it before.

[KPM]

Are you aware that Elvis had planned to build his dream home there once? It was to mimic the White House in Washington DC. He even had blue prints supposedly drawn up for what it was to look like.

EPE could use the land as a way to keep people in Memphis for more than a day. Maybe build an outdoor amphitheater on the land for weekly concerts.


"Come to Memphis, see Graceland, and then go down to Horn Lake to the Circle G Ranch and spend a night in relaxation and be netertained".

No have never heard that one-have read in several books thought exactly what I said-Elvis's tired of his adventure at Circle G.
Elvis tired easily of many new things, except Graceland.

[KPM]

]Already the number of visitors decreases year after year to Graceland, it's not going to buy a property in revenues would be hypothetical.[/B] We know the policy of EPE!

Money, and right away

http://www.dessaintes.webbuilder02.h...page140524.htm

No thats not exactly correct..... they have slowly built a profit making machine-in accordance with the final legal unconditional wishes of Elvis A Presley.
Why do we blame them for fullfilling his commands? Did it ever occur to some that they legally had no choice-that Elvis did not leave a list of things he did not want done in connection to protecting and growing his estate.
They have year after year increased profits, true visitors have decreased in the last couple years, but tourism as a whole has suffered the world over-it is not unique to Graceland.
Gasolene has been up and down for the last 5 years-as the economy heats up-gas rises....near $4 a gallon nationwide, airlines have raised their rates steadily to combat high fuel prices, charging extra for many things which were once free or near free.
You say the policys of EPE-forgive me-any prudent smart business has the same policies as EPE. So far during this recession EPE has held up well.
Business of all kinds have closed, curtailed operations, had massive layoffs etc-there is no magic wand which protects EPE from slowdowns.
They had grown as large as they could with their own operation-2005 they sought new blood to take the next step-thats really helped them alot

[KPM]

As to the idea of buying the ranch-EPE should do exactlyl what they were going to do with the proposed Japan theme park idea-they would let someone else spend their capital to build whatever is to built-then license the image and likenesss of Elvis to whomever the investors may be.
EPE would be out little capital, would share in the profits and the risk is mainly with someone else.

[vivaelvis]

As to the idea of buying the ranch-EPE should do exactlyl what they were going to do with the proposed Japan theme park idea-they would let someone else spend their capital to build whatever is to built-then license the image and likenesss of Elvis to whomever the investors may be.
EPE would be out little capital, would share in the profits and the risk is mainly with someone else.

There must be a blue moon out tonight because again, I agree with you!

[vivaelvis]

Ken, let me add to that. I will admit that Sillerman didn't have the right financial advisers when he first proposed the $250 million overhaul back in 2006. He should have kept it quiet and waited until he had all his resources lined up before jumping the gun. All it did was cause a fire storm throughout the media and in the Elvis fan world. I like how Apollo operates. They are a "in the closet" type of company that does business dealings privately first then goes public with them when they are finalized.

[Nicole Presley]

I have always wondered if there is something about that property that brings back bad memories or something for Priscilla.

Maybe because that´s where Elvis lost his wedding ring.

[KPM]

But lets be realistic-Apollo is calling the shots, they own CKX who in turn own 85% of EPE.
EPE is not driving they are in the backseat waiting to see which direction the car turns.
As far as Apollo and its way of operating, as I always say-at this point its all speculation, and we will see over time.

[max]

thnx also ....