[imagesource: Svalbar]
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a bar in a small town, where there is constant darkness for three months of the year, constant sunlight in summer, and sub-zero temperatures, we’ve found the perfect spot for you.
There’s an established business, Svalbar, for sale in the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited town, Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Norway.
Located roughly 1 000 kilometres from the North Pole, Svalbard was likely first discovered by Viking explorers. However, a settlement didn’t arise until whalers stranded themselves there in the 17th century.
It’s home to around 2 250 people so everyone is going to be up in your business, both personal and professional. Tourists also flood in for a brief look at the town during high seasons both in the summer and late winter, so there’s that to look forward to.
The bar is situated on the main pedestrian street through central Longyearbyen. The unique tax status in Svalbard means that the alcohol is much cheaper than on mainland Norway.
If you’re already plotting your escape from the confines of city life, however, there are a few things that you’ll need to take into account.
First, take a tour of the place:
The general manager, John-Einar Lockert, tells Life in Norway that they’re not selling the bar because of the pandemic. Rather, they want to focus on other things.
“There has been some dialogue with stakeholders over the weekend, but it is at a very early stage. This is in no hurry, we are moving forward and want to find a good partner.”
He also says that you’re going to need some special skills to live that far north.
“You must know how to shoot a gun to protect yourself from polar bears. It is winter from November to May or June and you need to know how to ride a snowmobile. It is the only way to get around in the snow.”
He’s not kidding about the polar bears.
Here’s one taking a stroll outside the bar:
Lockert recalls the above incident:
“It was a cold night and he was probably looking for a warm place to have something to eat. He could smell the food. It was lucky that we were closed.”
The town is also still recovering after a man died following an attack by a polar bear at a campsite by Longyearbyen Airport. The polar bear was shot during the attack and later found dead.
If this sounds like the place for you, the bar is going for $1 million, with the price of guns and snowmobiles not included.
You should probably also learn to pronounce ‘Longyearbyen’.
[source:lifeinnorway]
