Noe Hernandez

Livingston Daily

The price of Hell, Michigan dropped this week to $900,000 — a devilish descent of $99,666.

John Colone, Hell’s unofficial mayor, revealed the price drop in a conversation with the Livingston Daily.

“It’s open to any offers,” Colone said from Screams Souvenirs, one of several businesses he owns in Hell. “We’re willing to work with anyone.”

Hell is a Putnam Township hamlet located some 15 miles south of Howell.

The new price comes about a year after an effort to sell Hell to a Detroit-based arts group fell through.

Here's a chance to buy 5 acres in Hell

Colone had hoped to sell his 5 acres of prime commercial property, including the rights to merchandise and Hell-themed slogans, for $999,666 to a group known as Damned.

Damned, however, fell well short of its goal, mustering up only $77,000 in an online Kickstarter fundraising campaign. Colone never had any contact with Damned about its effort to purchase Hell.

Colone also owns a Hell’s Chapel of Love and Screams Putt-Putt Golf Course, both located behind the souvenir shop. He’s also leased the Hell Hole Bar to a local businessman.

In addition, he revealed that a local couple has purchased the Dam Site Inn and plan on turning it into a restaurant called the Hell Saloon.

Hell is surrounded by some 66 miles of hiking trails. Colone plans to hold new events this year, including Hellbilly putt-putt golf tournaments and a Hellbilly Toss, where contestants get to toss toilet seats for prizes.

Hell also hosts an annual blessing of the bikes event, along with several 5K (3.1-mile) races and music festivals. Until two years ago, Hell was able to boast a Guinness World Record for having the largest hearse parade in the world.

Jeff Thieme and his wife, Courtney, drove from Albion, Indiana, on Wednesday for a chance to say they shopped in Hell. Albion is located some 140 miles southeast of Hell.

About 70 percent of the folks who visit Hell travel at least 60 miles, Colone said.

“We didn’t have anything to do today, so I said ‘Hey, you want to to go to Hell?’” Jeff Thieme said he asked his wife, who promptly asked him to explain himself.

“It’s unique,” Jeff Thieme said after picking up a coffee mug and a set of salt and pepper shakers. “It’s kind of neat. They really capitalize on the name.”

Colone is expecting Hell to have new neighbors in the near future.

North Reach, a $26 billion camp for terminally ill children, is under construction and expected to open 2 miles west of Hell in 2017. WellBridge, an assisted-living complex, should open in about a month.

Although the drop in Hell's asking price may attract new potential buyers, Colone has mixed feelings about the possible sale of his piece of Hell.

“It’s not for the money, it’s for enjoyment,” he said of running his businesses. “It gives an old man something to do.”

For more information on Hell, visit www.gotohellmi.com.

Contact Livingston County business reporter Noe Hernandez at 517-552-2854 or nhernandez@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @sayyesnoe.