12 replies to this topic

[VicHockeyFan]

Lease was terminated over the weekend. Owners are looking for a new building to move the license to.

I liked the set-up there, but didn't think much of staff, or atmosphere.

[G-Man]

Dang that was my favourite live music venue.

One of the best concerts of the last 5 years was there. That being Calexico.

[Holden West]

I thought something was up when I walked past it on the weekend and it was closed and the windows were Janion filthy.

[VicHockeyFan]

I understand Derf went there in the last day or two of its existence. Maybe he can elaborate. I found out about it from [url=http://usual-suspects.ca/:a597b]The Usual Suspects[/url:a597b]

[m0nkyman]

So. The building must have sold....

[Mike K.]

Yup, I went there on closing night. Great acoustics. Although I gave up attending the last night of the Douggie's existence for the last night of Central's existence :shock:

[VicHockeyFan]

So. The building must have sold....

I'm told that the operators used to own the building, but sold out with the understanidng they had a bit of time to find a new space, but the new owner had a different idea of "a bit of time".

[VicHockeyFan]

Popular nightclub closes on sour note
Central Bar and Grill forced to shut, bid for lease renewal rejected
Adrian Chamberlain, Times Colonist
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
One of Victoria’s most popular nightclubs has unexpectedly shut its doors, leaving promoters scrambling to shift concerts.

The Central Bar and Grill — recently voted Victoria’s “favourite live music venue” — has permanently closed after the new owner of the building, at 708 View St., ordered the business to vacate before this Saturday night, say the nightclub’s operators.

Manager Carole Andrews said her club previously struck an agreement with the purchaser to lease the premises, even forwarding him postdated rental cheques. But last week, Andrews received a surprise fax, saying the Central Bar and Grill was not wanted as tenants, she said.


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Central Bar and Grill operator Randy Bourke has shut down the View Street rock club after failing to get a new lease.
John McKay, Times Colonist

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Font: **** “They just informed us they don’t want to do it at all. Here’s your cheques back. And get the hell out,” said Andrews.

“We felt like we were hit by a truck. We called our lawyer.”

However, lawyer Carlos MacDonald, representing the purchaser, said no such deal to lease was made. The postdated cheques were unsolicited, he added — and “they weren’t for a whole lot of money.”

MacDonald declined to reveal the name of his client, whom he described as a local businessman, citing confidentiality. He said his client has been reluctant to enter into a lease with Central Bar and Grill.

A newly renovated Central opened in 2003 as a higher-end venue appealing especially to the 30-and-up crowd. It hosted such acts as The Proclaimers, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Fred Eaglesmith and Leon Russell.

The closing left Victoria’s JazzFest International hustling to rebook 10 acts slated for the club this summer, said producer Darryl Mar. Many of those shows will shift to Sugar Nightclub.

Victoria promoter Matt Laundrie had booked future concerts by the Red Elvises and Po’ Girl at the Central. “I would say it was my venue of choice,” said Laundrie. “It was definitely the best venue in town ... It’s sad to see it go.”

Promoter Gary Van Buskirk’s company, Atomique Productions has moved shows by Carlos del Junco and Jeremy Fisher to Sugar.

“It’s going to be hard to replace,” he said of the Central.

The premises were sold on Jan. 9 for a high bid of $1,111,111. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had foreclosed on the building during Randy Bourke’s tenure as owner, resulting in the court-ordered sale.

Bourke, Andrews’s partner, said the purchaser — who officially takes ownership March 31 — was sent a contract requiring signatures for the Central Bar and Grill to lease the building. It was not returned.

The new owner first tried to purchase the building from Bourke about a year ago. However, the deal did not complete. A $100,000 down-payment on that deal remains in escrow.

“I said, ‘Let’s make a deal on the lease and I’ll give you your hundred grand back, right?” said Bourke.

MacDonald said a trial to determine who gets the $100,000 will likely begin within six weeks.

Bourke is a longtime fixture in Victoria’s club scene, having previously run Bar Victoria and a now defunct nightclub at the Ingraham Hotel. This latest development leaves him with little appetite to continue.

“Maybe it’s someone else’s turn. We’re gettin’ out without being in debt or anything,” he said.

MacDonald, meanwhile, said his client will likely lease his building to someone else in the future. “But I suspect it will not be to another nightclub.”

mailto:achamberlain@tc.canwest.com

[Lover Fighter]

No way, I used to like that place a lot.

[VicHockeyFan]

SOPRANO'S VULTURED IN AND BOUGHT SOME CHAIRS.

[VicHockeyFan]

Fat Tuesday's has been closed for over a week now - very messy battle between owners and landlord (the hotel).

[VicHockeyFan]

Randy Bourke, Central B&G owner, has died.

 

http://www.legacy.co...e&pid=173112575

[Rob Randall]

If you'd like the big Central neon sign it's at Kilshaw's auction right now and you can buy it tomorrow night.