"Liko" Smith Reportedly Buys Sugar Loaf

Eneliko Sean "Liko" Smith – the Las Vegas businessman who showed up in Leelanau County in 2010 with plans to revive the long-shuttered Sugar Loaf Resort and then disappeared after much publicity about his multi-million dollar plans – has now reportedly purchased the resort, according to a press release. Smith and partners have purchased the property for an undisclosed price that reportedly includes all property, buildings, ski lifts and existing inventory.

According to the release, he plans to transform the resort into a 560-acre snowboarder's mecca called The RoK at Sugar Loaf to open by November 27, 2014. Smith was the creator of "The Blocks" snowboarder hotels, which closed in 2009.

Smith's previous attempt to purchase the resort never materialized after negotiations with owner Kate Wickstrom broke down. About that same time it was also revealed that Smith had legal trouble from $92,000 in unpaid taxes and also had prior dealings with Remo Polselli, a convicted felon and Sugar Loaf's former owner.