The World’s Largest Basket: A Quirky Selfie Spot You MUST Visit In Ohio!
🤯 Can you believe this wild building exists? Your whole family needs to snap a selfie with the World’s Largest Basket in Newark, Ohio! 📸 #RoadsideAttractions #OhioOddity #RoadTripMustSee
Newark, OH – Imagine driving down State Route 16 in Newark, Ohio, and suddenly coming face-to-face with a ginormous basket. No, you’re not dreaming – it’s the former headquarters of The Longaberger Company, a handcrafted basket manufacturer based in the Buckeye State. This seven-story, 180,000-square-foot building is designed to look exactly like Longaberger’s top-selling Medium Market Basket. It’s a sight that’ll make you do a double-take and reach for your camera.
🏰 A Building Like No Other
The Longaberger Company started in 1973, founded by Dave Longaberger. They specialized in handmade maple wood baskets and became famous for their unique marketing strategy. At its peak in 2000, the company raked in $1 billion in sales and had thousands of employees and independent distributors. Sadly, the company faced hard times and eventually closed its doors in 2018. But their legacy lives on in this incredible building.
🌇 A Tricky Design
Building a giant basket wasn’t easy. The upper floors are wider than the lower ones, which made construction a real challenge. And get this – the basket handles on top weigh a whopping 150 tons! In chilly weather, they can be heated up to stop ice from crashing down onto the glass roof below. Talk about a one-of-a-kind design!
📸 Strike a Pose
If you find yourself in Newark, you’ve gotta stop and snap a selfie with this architectural wonder. It’s not every day you get to stand next to the world’s biggest basket! The building’s been vacant since 2016, but that hasn’t stopped curious travelers from pulling over to marvel at its quirkiness. Just imagine the looks on your friends’ faces when you show them your photos.
🏨 A New Chapter
So, what’s next for the Big Basket? In 2017, it was bought by a couple of developers who had big plans to turn it into a luxury hotel. They even wanted to get it added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2019, the first tour of the building since its closure was held, and people were thrilled to step inside this iconic structure once again. However, as of January 2021, the building was back on the market with an asking price of $6.5 million. Who knows what the future holds for this one-of-a-kind landmark?
📸 Share the Quirkiness
Ready to experience the World’s Largest Basket for yourself? Pack your bags and head to Newark, Ohio, for an unforgettable photo op! Find the World’s Largest Basket at: 1500 E Main St, Newark, OH 43055. Happy travels!
🗣 Would you take a selfie with the World’s Largest Basket? Have any secret selfie spots we should know about? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
