HOUSE FROM “A CHRISTMAS STORY” CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN CLEVELAND

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HOUSE FROM “A CHRISTMAS STORY” CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN CLEVELAND

CLEVELAND – Nov. 25, 2006 – The holiday season in Cleveland is off to a festive start as fans from across the country gather to celebrate the grand opening of the House from A Christmas Story. The iconic home, featured in the beloved 1983 film “A Christmas Story,” has been meticulously restored to its original movie appearance and is now open to the public.

The grand opening event was highlighted by the presence of several actors from the film, including Ian Petrella (Randy), Scott Schwartz (Flick), Tedde Moore (Miss Shields), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), Yano Anaya (Grover Dill), Patty Johnson (Head Elf), and Drew Hocevar (Male Elf). The celebration culminated with the lighting of the leg lamp, the infamous prop prominently displayed in the front window, which serves as a beacon for fans of the film.

Brian Jones, a 30-year-old former Navy intelligence officer from San Diego, purchased the house sight unseen through an eBay auction. Jones, a passionate fan of “A Christmas Story,” runs an online business selling replicas of the leg lamp featured in the movie through his website, www.RedRiderLegLamps.com. He acquired the 111-year-old house for $150,000 on Feb. 1, 2005, and invested an additional $240,000 into the restoration, funded largely by his leg lamp sales.

Jones also purchased the house across the street for $129,000 to serve as a dedicated museum. The museum, which features original props from the film, including Randy’s “I-can’t-put-my-arms-down” snowsuit, offers fans a deeper dive into the movie’s legacy.

“A Christmas Story,” which stars the late Darren McGavin as The Old Man and Peter Billingsley as Ralphie, has become a holiday classic, beloved for its humor and nostalgic charm. The film, originally released in 1983, gained widespread popularity over the years and is now a staple of holiday programming with annual marathons on cable TV.

The House from A Christmas Story is expected to draw 3,000 to 4,000 visitors during its opening weekend. Located just five minutes from downtown Cleveland at 3159 W. 11th Street in the Tremont neighborhood, the house is open year-round, offering fans the chance to step into the world of Ralphie Parker and his family.

For more information or directions, visit www.HouseFromAChristmasStory.com or call 216-298-4919.

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