The last official day is January 19, 2020. When it closes that night, that will be the end.
About a year ago Lee Kessler and Brett Dusharm bought the place. It would have died quietly if they had not stepped in. It was almost like a sale on the courthouse steps; they just took over the lease as-is at the last hour, Lee tells me.
"We thought it was a good move, we had to take over the lease - take it or leave it," says Lee.
The landlords called in their option this week - reclaiming the space - they have bigger ideas, one may be to expand the space into the former Maya Hatcha space behind it.
So basically The Tavern was evicted, like so many of the institutions around the Grove these days. You can look up and down Main Highway, and Grand Avenue and Fuller Street and see empty storefronts where venerable Grove institutions once were - most gone because they were evicted, the landlords looking for more upscale and higher paying clients, killing the village and all its character in the process.
Alas, it's happening all over the country. After 200 years, Neir's Tavern in Queens New York, announced it's closing this month. 200 years! Because of high rent, what else?
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Whatever happened to building out retail up and down grand ave with mid rise condos? Everyone keeps flipping here like it’s going to somehow turn into this grand destination that will circumvent Brickell.
ReplyDeleteC'mon people .. let's not bitch for the sake of bitching here. Can anyone honestly tell me the last time you stepped foot into the Tavern. You can't be in there for more then 10 minutes without coming out smelling like an ashtray, your feet stick to the floor from all of the spilt beer, the bathrooms are disgusting. This is nothing that anyone is going to miss with the exception of the 4-5 people that always seem to be there no matter what time of day it is.
ReplyDeleteGET OFF MY LAWN!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how you, CGG, don't get that it is a business, not a charity case, or anything like that. And the same way the "old Grove" is dying away, so are we, the older ones (I'm 62) are going to die sooner or later. So it is a great thing that at least buildings and neighborhoods can be renewed for the next generation.
ReplyDeleteThe Hamlet was the first gay bar I ever went in!
ReplyDeleteI used to go there all the time. Never remember leaving the place though.....
ReplyDeleteThe victim mentality exhibited by the comments on facebook is depressing. Like in many of the blog pieces highlighting new development and the loss of old institutions, the fb commenters frame the issue as "us v. them," where the "us" view themselves as the righteous but (somehow, although inexplicably) disenfranchised bearers of the torch of the Old Grove that know best (how paternalistic) and the "them" is greedy developers and the faceless "City of Miami." However, as ANON at 4:24 on January 9 suggested, most of these complainers have not stepped foot in that establishment for years or more! (see the dozens of "this is why I left the Grove" comments on fb)). Putting aside that, whatever it may have been in its heyday, the Tavern was a total dump and If the business is no longer viable, then it is clearly not what the community wants any longer. Developers do not make money by throwing out businesses that pay market rent. Since when did "affordable commercial rent" become a right? If people cared so much about these institutions they should vote with their dollars instead of complaining on facebook or beating their chests about "this is why I left the Grove." Give me a break.
ReplyDeleteWay to complain about people complaining.
DeleteI was born here in the 1940s. So so many change in the name of progress and the golden dollar.
ReplyDeleteThat’s life. The only thing we can do is remember the past with a sigh and move forward with a smile.
I got laid in the bathroom = = = = seven times. That counts for something.
ReplyDeleteten posts and like 8 are ANONYMOUS ARE THEY TROLLS WIMPS ACTUALLY CARE WHAATEVER. I DO NOT READ AA POSTS
ReplyDeleteThe bathroom reminded me of the toilet scene in Trainspotting.
ReplyDeleteI emergency pooped in the men's bathroom stall back in college on a Thursday college night. The one with no doors. Oh the memories!
ReplyDeleteYou were lucky. That toilet door was my Uber home.
ReplyDeleteSo Sunday is a BYOTD party?
ReplyDelete(Bring Your Own Toilet Door)
T'was a great night. Just like old times.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6PDcBhODqo