Revival of a Club - Progress Posts

[jyl]

You probably know that my neighborhood association was donated a 106 year old ballroom in the southwest corner of our ‘hood. The dance club that has owned it since 1912-ish was running out of money due to Covid shutting down the wedding rental business that paid the bills, and looking for an alternative. We took the property over, unencumbered except by our agreement to allow the dance club to use it for their dances for the next 20 years.

So, what’s the first things you do when handed something like this? We did all that: get insurance, transfer over utilities and other accounts, take possession of the records and computer, hire a web designer to rebuild the website, and appoint an interim manager.

What’s the next things you do? Secure a line of credit to cover expenses until Covid restrictions lift and the club can start making money again, install a security system and internet, hire a landscaper to bring the grounds back up to snuff. We’re doing that now.

Okay, on to the fun and expensive stuff. The building is in good condition for a century-old ballroom that has been disused for a year: key systems have been updated, nothing is falling down (well, one roof gutter), we could simply dust, sweep and call it good. However, when I called a bunch of local wedding planners during our due diligence, they all said “lovely historic building, fantastic location, decor from the ‘80s and looks tired”. When I started showing the building to brides looking for a venue - yes, I’m the interim manager - that was pretty much their reaction too, although they were too polite to say it. So, we’re Covid-closed for business for at least the next few months more, how about if we give this club a facelift and emerge into the post-Covid world looking fantastic and scooping up more than our share of weddings and other business?

That’s what this thread will be about. How we facelift and re-open this club. Hopefully it will chronicle an efficient and successful project, but of course you never know.

The first step was to hire an interior designer. They are expensive. Fortunately, my wife has a good friend who is a designer, and also has a small non-profit that is trying to support women artists. He agreed to donate his time in return for some usage of the club by his non-profit. Cost: 0 (except future opportunity cost).

A design needs renderings to persuade a board to sign off. Fortunately, a fellow Pelican volunteered his time and Photoshop skillz (not identifying him, but he’s welcome to out himself). Cost: 0 (except future dinners, when we do that kind of thing again).

The biggest job is painting. I got two bids. One was a neighborhood painter known for high end work on expensive houses and commercial buildings, who promised the “neighbor discount”. Another was a painter known to the designer, who does everything from historic house to apartment buildings. Painter #2 is an old Berkeley hippie type who loves interesting old buildings - and has a hole in his schedule this month. #2’s bid was less than half of #1’s, with us doing some of the prep under his direction. Cost: I’m going to defer posting that, until the work is done.

So, I’ve spent this weekend prepping, and boy am I tired.

To baseline us, here’s the club as we got it.

Ballroom





Mezzanine



Bar



Manager’s “office” (a desk in the entry foyer)



Kitchen

[LWJ]

How hard for a liquor license? Portland could use a great jazz club. Cool space.

[jyl]

It is in a residential neighborhood, use as a rental event venue is grandfathered, but we won’t be able to get a liquor license. We do plan to eventually have small audiences for jazz, folk and other acoustic music (noise restrictions preclude rock concerts). I’m thinking by the time Covid restrictions lift, many music venues will be gone so if we can provide musicians a place to play, it might be a good public service.

[mattdavis11]

Who is we, is the first question I have to ask. Who has skin in the game? The entire hood? Better be careful when playing with others dough if so.

Sounds like a pipe dream with no alcohol license.

[ckelly78z]

Looks like a great venue for graduation, wedding, anniversary, or retirement parties. We have a local township house that is similar, and does well.

[drcoastline]

I must agree a very bland décor, un-welcoming and uninspiring, but a great space with potential. My wife could work wonders with that place. You would have a waiting list. Booked months in advance if she got her hands on that place and was permitted to decorate it.

It would be nice to see the grounds and exterior as well. I am not familiar with your location, the surrounding area, demographics, etc., but rather than "face lift" I say back date to the buildings era. What little I do know of the PNW it is or was a rugged area, mountains, logging, rivers, etc. I say play to that heritage.

A rugged yet elegant space. Add a white washed brick accent wall, proper lighting, lighting fixtures and accent pieces.









Regarding the alcohol comments. First there is what is known as host liquor. This permits the wedding party to serve alcohol, while your venue could not charge you could charge for the bartenders or a fee to permit alcohol in the venue. Second since this is a "club" clubs are permitted to charge club members and their guests for (I am referencing New Jersey but I am sure there is something similar where you are) think of the Moose, Elks, VFW, etc. You may be able to make the bride and/or groom a member of your club? Then you could charge legally. It's something to research.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by jyl

It is in a residential neighborhood, use as a rental event venue is grandfathered, but we won’t be able to get a liquor license. We do plan to eventually have small audiences for jazz, folk and other acoustic music (noise restrictions preclude rock concerts). I’m thinking by the time Covid restrictions lift, many music venues will be gone so if we can provide musicians a place to play, it might be a good public service.

Can you get a temporary liquor license for events?

Also, some bartender services can use their licenses for events.
Good luck.

[jyl]

Sorry, I was unclear. We don’t have, because we don’t need, a liquor license. The weddings or other renters bring and serve their own alcohol with their own bartenders (usually the caterer does it), they just provide us with event insurance including host liquor liability.

If we ourselves wanted to serve alcohol at one of our own neighborhood events, we could as long as we don’t charge for it.

The club has been a modestly successful wedding rental venue for decades. Hampered by little marketing and a not very motivated management. We just need to improve on that by about 50% :-)

[jyl]

Here’s what I and a couple others did last weekend. The painter is starting his prep and hopefully will start painting later this week.