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Bud Carson's Pro Wrestling World & Museum, a long-running fixture in Allentown, PA announced this week that they will be closing their doors.
In speaking to PWInsider.com, Carson explained that after three decades of spending weekends running the location, he felt it was the right time to close down in order to spend more time with his grandchildren.
"At the end of last year, the thought of shutting down began. For the last 20 years, every weekend, I was either at the shop or at a convention like [Legends & Icons] or at the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. I spoke with my family and we agreed it was time to start slowing down and spending more time with my grandchildren."
Beyond Carson's store, the location in Allentown features one of the biggest walk-through wrestling museums anywhere and the largest on the East Coast, featuring material and artifacts from different eras of the business, both original pieces and recreated material, props and outfits that have been autographed by the many talents that the location has hosted over the decades. Once the location closes, Carson will be open to offers for pieces from the collection, as he won't be displaying it in his home.
"This isn't a financial situation. The store was fine and I've made my money and invested my money well," Carson explained this past Saturday. "It's just time."
The store and museum will remain open through 1/28/18, timed for the WWE Royal Rumble PPV in Philadelphia, a short drive away from Allentown, in order to give anyone who has never visited the location (or past visitors returning) a chance to do so. Carson said he specifically picked the Rumble weekend in case fans from out of town wanted to add one more stop on their visit that weekend.
"When I am sitting in the store and I hear someone walking through the museum and pointing something out to their friends or their kids that sparks a memory in them, that's what brings me happiness. Having had the chance to make someone smile and remember something they love about pro wrestling, just like I do."
Carson will continue to sell wrestling merchandise via conventions and online.
Carson's Wrestling World and Museum can be visited at Merchants Square Outlet Mall (1901 S 12th Street) in Allentown, PA. For additional information, call (610) 798-9900.
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