The Future Home of Miles Through Time: Building a Legacy for Generations
Founded in 2017 with just one car—a 1959 Cadillac Coupe De Ville passed down from founder Sean Mathis’s grandfather—Miles Through Time Automotive Museum has grown into one of Georgia’s most unique and beloved destinations for classic car enthusiasts. Over the years, it has become a hub for automotive history, memorabilia, and community engagement.
Now, the museum is preparing for its most ambitious project yet: the construction of a new, permanent campus that will allow it to expand, improve the visitor experience, and preserve automotive heritage for decades to come.
Visitor will be able to visit, learn, shop, eat, and stay. Members will even be able to store their prized rides and enjoy the atmosphere that comes with being on the Miles Through Time Campus.
A Nonprofit Automotive Museum With a Mission
After opening in an 8,000-square-foot former Ford dealership in Toccoa, Georgia, Miles Through Time moved to its current home inside the Old Clarkesville Mill in 2019. The relocation meant starting over from scratch, with Sean rebuilding the museum in an unused portion of a flea market.
When that space became unavailable, Sean launched Vintage Garage Antiques in 2021 to financially support the museum. This also allowed for the first major expansion of the museum. As of 2023, Miles Through Time and Vintage Garage Antiques now span more than 50,000 square feet, featuring over 100 full-size vehicles, 5,000+ model cars, pedal cars, vintage bicycles, motorcycles, and historic artifacts.
However, the space has reached its limits—and it’s time for the museum to take the next step.
The Future: A Purpose-Built Museum and Visitor Destination
To ensure long-term sustainability and continued growth, the museum will be moving to a new, custom-built location on 10+ acres along Hwy 365, just minutes from its current site in Clarkesville, Georgia.
This move eliminates reliance on landlords and provides the opportunity to build a fully optimized facility designed to enhance both museum operations and the visitor experience.
Planned Features of the New Miles Through Time Campus
The future Miles Through Time campus will include:
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45,000-square-foot museum space with expanded displays, immersive dioramas, and rotating exhibits
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25,000-square-foot Vintage Garage Antiques market to continue supporting the nonprofit museum
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30,000-square-foot museum vehicle storage facility capable of housing over 100 cars, which will help allow vehicle rotation and protect valuable donated vehicles
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Dedicated event venue and automotive research library for educational programs, car club gatherings, and private rentals
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RV parking and electric vehicle charging stations to accommodate traveling visitors
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A nature trail and outdoor pavilion to host seasonal events, concerts, and cruise-ins
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Full-service automotive-themed restaurant, creating a true destination experience for families, tourists, and car clubs
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Private vehicle storage condos, giving car collectors and driving enthusiasts the ability to store their vehicles with convenient access to nearby scenic drives, including routes to the iconic Tail of the Dragon
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On-site lodging options, such as vintage-style motels or tiny homes, for out-of-town visitors seeking a unique overnight experience
This carefully planned expansion will turn the museum into a multi-purpose tourism and cultural destination in northeast Georgia.
Why This Move Is Critical
Miles Through Time is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) museum that runs entirely on donations, volunteers, and community support. Exhibits are contributed by collectors and enthusiasts who believe in preserving the stories and artifacts of America’s automotive past.
The current facility has provided invaluable insights into what visitors want—such as the success of the antique market as a retail support system. But continued growth depends on securing a permanent home designed for both function and guest engagement.
By building a new facility, the museum can improve visitor access, host more events, expand its collections, and serve as an economic and cultural asset to the region.
How to Support the Project
Miles Through Time is actively seeking donations, partnerships, and investor support to help bring this vision to life.
Visitors and supporters can:
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Make a tax-deductible donation to support the museum at www.milesthroughtime.com/donate
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Share the project with car clubs, history lovers, and philanthropists who care about preserving American culture
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Follow the museum’s journey on social media and sign up for the newsletter to stay informed about the build and fundraising milestones
This next chapter is about more than growth—it’s about building a legacy that future generations can enjoy.
Miles Through Time Automotive Museum started with one car and a dream. Today, it’s a thriving destination visited by thousands of people each year. With your help, it will become a world-class museum campus where history lives, enthusiasts connect, and memories are made.
Donate today at milesthroughtime.com/donate
Know an investor or want to partner? Contact us here
Every dollar and every connection helps us build a destination that future generations of car lovers can enjoy.
Let’s build the future—together.
Business Plan for Facility Expansion & Funding Acquisition
Miles Through Time Automotive Museum & Vintage Garage Antiques
Business Plan for Facility Expansion & Funding Acquisition
Executive Summary
Miles Through Time Automotive Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is expanding into a multi-phase automotive destination campus in Northeast Georgia. The proposed 10-acre development will include:
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100,000 sq. ft. main museum, antiques market, and event space
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60,000 sq. ft. car condo complex
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Multiple restaurant concepts utilizing shipping containers
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10,000 sq. ft., 20-room automotive-themed motel
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5 RV hookups
Total Development Cost: Approx. $18.51 million
Projected Annual Revenue: $3.47M+
Estimated Campus Breakeven: 3-5 years
Mission & Vision
Mission: To preserve automotive history and inspire visitors through the stories behind every vehicle and artifact.
Vision: To become the Southeast’s top destination for automotive enthusiasts, families, and tourists through interactive, ever-changing exhibits and experiences.
Organization Overview
Founded in 2017 with just one car, Miles Through Time Automotive Museum now houses over 120 full-size vehicles and thousands of automotive artifacts. In 2021, the museum launched a supporting for-profit entity, Vintage Garage Antiques, to generate revenue through vendor booths and retail partnerships.
Site Overview
Location: To be determined. Targeting a high-traffic commercial site in Northeast Georgia with zoning flexibility, highway visibility, and proximity to tourism corridors.
Historical Growth
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2017: Opened in Toccoa, GA in an 8,000 sq. ft. Ford dealership
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2019/2020: Relocated to Clarkesville’s Old Clarkesville Mill
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2021: Vintage Garage Antiques launched
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2023: Expanded to 30,000 sq. ft. of museum space
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Current: 47,000 sq. ft. facility with $13,000/month lease and utilities
Phased Expansion Plan
Phase 1: Main Museum & Antique Market
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Size: 100,000 sq. ft.
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45,000 sq. ft. museum
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25,000 sq. ft. antique store (20,000 billable)
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30,000 sq. ft. event & storage
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Cost: $10,000,000
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Annual Revenue:
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Admissions: $306,000
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Booth Rentals: $480,000
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Commissions: $48K–$72K
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Events: $100,000
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Payroll: $142,624
- Operating Margin (est.): ~$791,376–$815,376/year
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Estimated Breakeven: 12 – 12.6 years (museum only), but offset by revenue from future phases
Phase 2: RV Hookups
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Cost: $10,000 (5 pads)
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Revenue: $90,000/year
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Breakeven: < 2 months
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Staffing: Not required
Phase 3: Car Condo Complex
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Size: 60,000 sq. ft. (80 units)
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Cost: $6,000,000
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Revenue Options:
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Sales: $7.5M
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Lease: $900,000/year
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Breakeven:
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Immediately (if sold)
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6.7 years (if leased)
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Staffing: Not required
Phase 4: Restaurant
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Model: Shipping container restaurant hub
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Cost: $250,000–$500,000
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Revenue: $84,000/year (leased)
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Breakeven: 3–6 years
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Staffing: Not required
Phase 5: Automotive-Themed Motel
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Size: 10,000 sq. ft. (20 rooms)
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Cost: $2,000,000
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Annual Revenue: $1,440,000
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Annual Payroll & Cleaning: $150,000
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Net Annual Profit: ~$1.29M
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Breakeven:
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~2 years at 70–80% occupancy
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3 years at 50–60% occupancy
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Capital Requirements
| Phase | Cost |
|---|---|
| Museum & Antique Market | $10,000,000 |
| Car Condos | $6,000,000 |
| Restaurant (Shipping Containers) | $250,000–$500,000 |
| Motel | $2,000,000 |
| RV Hookups | $10,000 |
| Total | Approx. $18.51M |
Annual Revenue Forecast
| Source | Revenue |
|---|---|
| Museum Admissions | $306,000 |
| Booth Rentals | $480,000+ |
| Vendor Commissions | $48K–$72K |
| Events | $100,000 |
| Car Condo Lease | $900,000 |
| Restaurant Lease | $84,000 |
| Motel | $1,440,000 |
| RV Hookups | $90,000 |
| Total Estimated | $3.47M+ |
Payroll Summary
| Department | Annual Payroll |
|---|---|
| Vintage Garage Antiques | $92,624 |
| Museum (Director) | $50,000 |
| Motel (Manager + Staff) | $150,000 |
| Campus Property Manager | $50,000 |
| Total | $342,624 |
Profitability Timeline Overview
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Main Facility: 12–12.6 years (nonprofit offset by other phases)
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RV Hookups: <2 months
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Car Condos:
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Immediate (if sold)
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6.7 years (if leased)
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Restaurant: 3–6 years
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Motel: 2–3 years depending on occupancy
Total Campus Breakeven:
3–5 years with blended sales, leases, and strategic phase execution.
Ownership & Structure
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Vintage Garage Antiques (S-Corp): Owns the land and facilities
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Miles Through Time (501c3): Leases space and operates the museum
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Car condos, restaurant, and motel: May be leased, sold, or operated in partnership
Conclusion
The future Miles Through Time campus unlocks long-term tourism, retail, and cultural value for Northeast Georgia. With a proven track record of organic growth, scalable revenue streams, and community engagement, this expansion represents more than just a business—it’s a legacy.
Partner with us in preserving the past while accelerating into the future.
Why This is an Investment Worth Getting Behind
The Miles Through Time expansion isn’t just an idea—it’s the next phase of a proven success story.
Since 2017, we’ve transformed one donated car into a thriving museum housing over 120 vehicles, tens of thousands of visitors, and an ever-changing display of automotive history. In 2021, we launched Vintage Garage Antiques, a for-profit companion business that now generates consistent monthly revenue through vendor booths and retail—proving the strength of our dual-entity business model.
This growth has happened with zero outside funding and under the constraints of leased space.
Now, we’re ready to scale.
The future home of Miles Through Time will be a multi-phase automotive campus that blends purpose and profit: a permanent 100,000-square-foot museum and antiques facility, rentable car condos, an automotive-themed motel, revenue-generating RV hookups, and a creative restaurant space—all designed with flexibility, cash flow, and long-term value in mind.
This is not a startup. This is a next step.
We already know the museum draws tourism. We know the antique market works. And we’ve structured this expansion with the same pragmatic, phased approach that got us here—backed by strong numbers, community enthusiasm, and a sustainable, founder-led vision.
Whether you’re looking to leave a legacy, diversify into real estate, or back a project with heart and horsepower, now is the time to get involved.
This is your chance to invest in a living landmark—while preserving history and building something that will last for generations.
Investor Opportunities & Potential Returns
Join us in building the future home of Miles Through Time Automotive Museum & Vintage Garage Antiques—a multi-phase, cash-flowing destination campus in Northeast Georgia. Each phase is structured with clear funding needs, flexible contribution levels, and strong return potential.
Phase 1: Museum + Antique Market
Total Needed: $10,000,000
Minimum Investor Share: $100,000
Investor Option: Equity in Vintage Garage Antiques S-Corp
Annual Revenue: ~$888,000
ROI Potential: 7–10% annually via profit share + equity appreciation
Break-even Estimate: 13–14 years (offset faster with Phases 2 & 3)
Phase 2: RV Hookups
Total Needed: $10,000
Minimum Investment: $10,000
Return Type: Revenue share (passive)
Annual Revenue: $90,000
ROI Potential: Return in < 2 months, then profit
Ownership Option: 50/50 net split or fixed return
Phase 3: Car Condo Complex
Total Needed: $6,000,000
Minimum Investor Share: $250,000
Investor Option:
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Buy-in on total lease revenue (up to $900K/year)
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Or co-own and sell units ($7.5M potential)
ROI Potential: -
Immediate ROI if units sold
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8–15% annual cash yield if leased
Break-even Estimate: 6–7 years (lease model)
Phase 4: Restaurant (Shipping Containers)
Total Needed: $250,000–$500,000
Minimum Investment: $25,000
Investor Option: Revenue share or fixed lease return
Annual Revenue: $84,000 (projected lease income)
ROI Potential: 12–15%
Break-even Estimate: 3–6 years depending on build cost
Phase 5: Automotive-Themed Motel
Total Needed: $2,000,000
Minimum Investor Share: $100,000
Investor Option: Equity or 40–50% of net profit
Annual Revenue: $1.44M
Payroll/Ops: ~$150,000/year
ROI Potential: $1.29M in annual net income
Break-even Estimate: 2–3 years
Example Investment Scenarios:
| Investor Amount | Phase | Structure | Estimated Annual Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | RV Hookups | Rev. Share | $10K–$15K+ |
| $25,000 | Restaurant Plaza | Fixed Lease | $3K–$4K |
| $100,000 | Museum Equity | Equity Share | $7K–$10K annually + appreciation |
| $250,000 | Car Condos | Revenue Share | $20K–$35K annually |
| $1,000,000 | Mixed Portfolio | Custom Deal | $90K–$150K+ annually |
Investor Perks
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Lifetime Museum Memberships
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Naming Rights (wings, galleries, plazas)
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Revenue share, equity, or lease buyback
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First rights on future expansions
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Clear contracts, third-party accounting
Ready to Learn More?
We’re currently accepting accredited and private investors for select phases.
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