Inside the Goonies House: How New Owner Behman Zakeri Restored an Icon and Invites the World In

“Goonies never say die” isn’t just a movie quote. It’s a lifestyle. A mindset. A rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt like the underdog climbing the rickety stairs of life with nothing but grit, heart, and maybe a questionable map.

Play

So when the iconic Goonies House went up for sale, Behman Zakeri didn’t see a real estate listing — he saw a calling. His phone lit up with people telling him exactly what he already knew: This is your moment. Goonie destiny awaits.

And here’s the wild part: When he actually stepped through that front door as the new owner, it wasn’t a chest-puffing, look-what-I-bought moment. It was reverence. Stewardship. He describes it as “surreal, larger than life,” like every childhood underdog version of himself walked in with him. Suddenly, he wasn’t just Behman. He was the caretaker of millions of beating hearts tied to one weather-worn house on a hill.

Restoration as Love Language

Restoring the Goonies House wasn’t about slapping on a coat of paint and calling it nostalgia. No, no. This was sacred work.

The distressed fence? Rebuilt.
The original red trim? Returned.
The front-yard fever dream? Fully operational.

Yes — the legendary Rube Goldberg contraption from the movie actually works now. For real. Start to finish. Bowling ball to football kick, with a robot chicken stepping in for the original gag. It’s whimsical. It’s ridiculous. It’s perfect.

As someone who recently retraced my own Goonies pilgrimage through Astoria — climbing hills with Tamar, eating Baby Ruths, and insisting on stopping at every filming location — let me tell you: seeing that contraption run in person is like an instant serotonin injection.

Play

Hospitality With Boundaries (A Goonie AND Adulting Win)

Now, for anyone who’s ever been an enthusiastic fan (or hosted one), you know magic can turn to mayhem real quick without boundaries. The Goonies House sits in a real neighborhood, with real families, doing real Tuesday-morning-in-the-rain things. Behman gets that.

His approach? Open-hearted but respectful. Visitors can take photos, geek out, recreate scenes, and if he’s home, he’ll often step onto the porch to reenact moments with them. Meanwhile, the local community gently plays lookout, reminding folks to be kind, be tidy, and maybe don’t sprint downhill like you’re outrunning the Fratellis.
It’s fandom, but with manners.
It’s community, but with joy.

Money Isn’t the Story — People Are

A humble little donation box sits out front, helping cover utilities and maintenance so the experience stays open to everyone. It’s not ticketing. It’s gratitude. If you’ve ever tossed in a dollar because your heart felt full — you know the vibe.

And here’s my favorite part: The previous owner chose Behman not because he had the biggest offer, but because he had the biggest heart. The town feared a developer might step in, Troy-dad the whole thing, and turn childhood memories into a luxury remodel. Instead, she trusted a superfan who promised restoration and community.
She chose right.
He continues to prove it.

A Living Room, Not a Museum

The house isn’t frozen in time — it’s alive. On Halloween, it becomes a Goonies cosplay runway. Behman’s gone as Sloth, Chunk, and Mouth — a respectable trifecta. Some days, he blends into the crowd just to watch adults transform back into kids the moment that porch angle hits them just right.
And honestly? That awe is medicine. A playful reset. A reminder that joy is still allowed — even in adulthood, even in recovery, even on days when your inner underdog feels a little tired.

The Sober Thread Woven Through It All

There’s something undeniably recovery-coded about the Goonies ethos:
One booby trap at a time.
One impossible tunnel at a time.
One day at a time.

“Goonies never say die” becomes “Just don’t give up today.”
If you’ve ever needed that mantra — whispered, shouted, or scribbled on a fence — you know how powerful it is to see it embodied in a house that refuses to quit.

The True Treasure: Community

In a world that loves to commodify nostalgia, the Goonies House does the opposite:
It gives.
It shares.
It invites.
It reminds us that fandom can be connection, not consumption. That magic grows when it’s passed around. That the map — the real one — always points back to the places that make us feel alive, included, and seen.

Listen to our episode with Behman Zakeri — the superfan turned steward — as he shares what it means to restore a house, open his heart, and live like an underdog who never quits.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out my own sober Goonies adventure in Astoria with Tamar — proof that you’re never too old, too tired, or too sober to chase a little movie-magic joy.

---

WHAT A TRIP! Our Goonies-Inspired Adventure in Astoria, Oregon

---

SOBER POP CULTURE at The Sober Curator is where mainstream trends meet the vibrant world of sobriety. We serve up a mix of movie, podcast, fashion, and book recommendations alongside alcohol-free cocktails, celebrity features, and pop culture buzz—all with a sober twist.

We’re here to shatter the “sobriety is boring” myth with a mash-up of 80s neon, 90s hip-hop edge, early 2000s bling, and today’s hottest trends. From celebrity shoutouts to red-carpet style inspo, this is where sober is as chic as it is fun. To the celebs using their platform for good—our Sober Pop Trucker hats are off to you!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

Subscribe to The Sober Curator on YouTube