Post #266889 by GatorRob on Wed, Nov 15, 2006 9:53 AM

Here's one thing that I don't understand because I just don't know much about the subject. These places that we all want to preserve are businesses. Not Lincoln's log cabin, but operating businesses. Let's say we get the Mai-Kai on national and local preservation lists. What happens if some years from now the Thornton family decides that it is no longer a viable operation and closes the doors. Are they not allowed to sell to a developer because it's protected? What becomes of the Mai-Kai? Turn it into a museum? The Thornton's have run the Mai-Kai lovingly for decades. I would hate to think that if they wanted to pack it in that they would not be able to sell and reap the financial rewards, as much as I want the Mai-Kai to be saved. Perhaps for these reasons, the Thorntons may not want the Mai-Kai to be protected. These are serious questions that I ask simply because I don't understand the implications of government protection for a building owned by a business.