New owner doesn’t plan to “change a thing”

Managing the A Christmas Story House is truly a labor of love for new owner Joshua Dickerson.

Dickerson, a native Clevelander who worked at the house on West 11^th Street since it opened in 2006, purchased an equity stake in the house from founding owner Brian Jones in November.

Jones has stayed on as a silent partner, but CEO and managing partner Dickerson is in charge.

When Jones proposed the deal to Dickerson, “I took about two second to think about and here we are today,” he says.

He’s taking over one of Cleveland’s most beloved tourist destinations.

Since opening of the house and museum on West 11th Street in 2006, more than 1 million people have visited the house that Jones bought for $150,000 in 2004. The company has expanded and now spans five buildings across seven properties. Jones estimates more than 1 million people have visited the house, with about 80,000 touring each year.

This time of year, fans are lining up down the street to see the house featured in the 1983 Bob Clark movie, about the Parker family celebrating a very funny, albeit bittersweet Christmas season in 1939. The movie is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

Downstairs, visitors are greeted by the glorious “Major Award” – aka Leg Lamp -- in the window, the Parker’s tree (with gifts underneath) and can even climb under the kitchen sink a la Randy.

 Upstairs, guests can see the boys’ bedroom, check out Ralphie's decoder ring AND pickup that infamous bar of Lifebuoy soap.

 Across the street, visitors can tour the museum and gift shop, and maybe even take home their own Leg Lamp. The restored Bumpus House next door provides overnight stays for superfans.

 Dickerson said it was an easy decision when Jones proposed to bring him in on the complex that includes five buildings on seven properties. It had been for sale for over a year, with rumors of film stars banding together to purchase the property.  An asking price as high as $7 million had been rumored, but not confirmed. Dickeson declined to say how much equity he purchased, but noted Jones is now a completely silent partner and he does have the option to make his stake larger in the future.

 The new managing partner is not one to mess with success.

 “People love this house,” he says. “We don’t plan to change a thing.”

 A Christmas Story House is at 3159 West 11th St., Cleveland; 216-298-4919. Open year round, with extended holiday hours. Call 216- 298-4919 or see https://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/hours-and-admission/