Hermitage has two more offers

Posted Monday, February 3, 2020 5:48 pm

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

BURLINGTON — The sale of Hermitage Club assets is growing more competitive.

Raymond Obuchowski, Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee, filed documents Thursday in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont about additional parties showing interest in properties connected with the former private ski resort at Haystack Mountain in Wilmington.

Bruce Waller offered $8.4 million cash for all the Hermitage properties "as is" via an email sent by his attorney Martin J. Gersten of New York City.

Gregory Samuels of Jacksonville, Fla., told Obuchowski in an email that he is "interested in the Barnstormer lift/sale property." However, he did not include any figure or proposal.

"Please note," Samuels wrote, "I am born royalty and as such special consideration is required."

Obuchowski's filing came two days after two other groups joined the two before them in proposing offers.

AW Realty LLC's HSM Partners LLC of Delaware said it submitted a letter of intent to buy the ski resort at Haytack Mountain, golf course, three inns and a six-person bubble chairlift known as the Barnstormer for $8 million. Hermitage Club Member Group Inc. of Delaware, described as a group of shareholders led by a board of directors who were former Hermitage members, said it plans to offer $8.25 million for the assets.

Earlier in January, two proposals triggered the start of a sale process, with Obuchowski suggesting Feb. 25 as the auction date and creditors signing agreements. Rainmaker Mountain LLC, connected to Geyser Holdings LLC headquartered in California and Hawaii, offered $4 million for the resort, golf course and inns. And Boyne USA Inc., which owns and operates 10 ski resorts in North America, offered $3.6 million for the Barnstormer.

Reach staff writer Chris Mays at cmays@reformer.com, at @CMaysBR on Twitter and 802-254-2311, ext. 273.