A dampening translator for a sliding building closure comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and a traveler track with a longitudinally extending portion having a first end. A traveler is carried by the housing and includes a body carrying track followers carried in the traveler track of the housing, and carrying longitudinally spaced walls extending away from the body and establishing a catch space therebetween. A retractor is carried by the housing and has a housing portion coupled to the housing and a traveler portion coupled to the traveler to bias the traveler in a direction toward the first end of the traveler track. A dampener is carried by the housing to decelerate the traveler.