Underbelly/Lomax closing.

[Dog Walker]

Most of the complaints about Underbelly's came from the retirement towers across Oak and Post Streets.  The courtyard evidently projected the sound up into their windows.  You really couldn't hear much from the street level.  Too bad.

The old warehouse districts make great places for clubs since there aren't many people around to be bothered by the noise of traffic.  Bold City and Intuition are in great locations like that even though they don't make much noise at all.



I don't think that the rent issue is a part of the reason for the move.  The Anomaly space and the other stores from the Tea Room to Gina's around the corner on Post are all owned by the Fred Schultz Investment Group.  They have the reputation of being good, reasonable landlords and the certainly don't need to squeeze every penny out of their tenants.  Edge City is one of their tenants and has nothing but good things to say about them and they have been there for thirty years.

[John P]

A venue far enough away from residential to avoid noise complaints is difficult to find. If proximity can be flexible the old laundry mat building on Oak Street and Stockton Street are possibilities.

[jerry cornwell]

A venue far enough away from residential to avoid noise complaints is difficult to find. If proximity can be flexible the old laundry mat building on Oak Street and Stockton Street are possibilities.

That's a beautiful building. Unfortunately, the consequences of dry cleaning has left the building contaminated with the chemical naphtha . Its going nowhere fast and will probably be demolished as the chemical has saturated into the soil, which will have to be removed.

[camicus]

If I had to guess, I would assume that the LL feels like he's getting shafted with one of his tenants using the space behind the building rent free.  Especially since his plans are now to subdivide the space with privacy fence.

We have said several times that we would be more than happy to pay for the back space as long as it was in the lease.  As far as the back space being divided. Cliff said, Jamee from Bark, wants her own "private entrance".  Edge City could care less about a private entrance in the back, they frequent Underbelly and thoroughly enjoy it.  I personally put a deadbolt on that fence and gave Bark 5 keys.  Considering we aren't there during the  daytime, that whole backyard is a private entrance.   We have been more than willing to work with her and even offered to move the fence and build and sod a private dog run for the animals she grooms.  Jamee even signed a Domain and Use agreement last year, permitting Emily all rights to that space from 6PM-3AM Monday through Saturday, the exact opposite hours of Jamee.

But I guess it makes sense, dividing that space, rendering it essentially useless, when it sat for 15 years as a dump/tag yard before Emily cleaned it.  Fences down the middle of that yard just seem like an appropriate use of that space, don't they? How about a mini-strip mall while you’re at it? It is sad to see that gorgeous oak in the back yard become paralyzed.  

I don't think that the rent issue is a part of the reason for the move.  The Anomaly space and the other stores from the Tea Room to Gina's around the corner on Post are all owned by the Fred Schultz Investment Group.  They have the reputation of being good, reasonable landlords and the certainly don't need to squeeze every penny out of their tenants.  Edge City is one of their tenants and has nothing but good things to say about them and they have been there for thirty years.

Yes, I agree, Fred was a great man but he is no longer the owner of the building.  His son, John, is now the property owner and has fallen quite far from the tree.  Without getting into details, I would just like to say this... I have tried countless times to have a meeting with him. Cliff Montgomery, his property manager, would set meetings with us (at his specified time) and then show up over 30 minutes late.  This happened on more than one occasion.  He could never give us a legitimate reason as to why they were going to split the yard, which will serve absolutely no purpose.  We pleaded with Cliff to speak to the property owner (John Schultz) several times, to which Cliff responded, "He doesn't like dealing with his tenants, because he has personal problems of his own." While we are very sorry to hear about John’s personal troubles, we ALL have them.  This is business and the fact that he did not even have the decency to look one of his oldest tenants in the face to tell them that they have to leave is very weak, in my opinion.

One thing that has been conveniently left out is Riverside Presbyterian Church. There was never any intention of making people mad and we were very interested in opening up conversation with them to insure that all parties were satisfied. Unfortunately, church staff would not entertain the idea of even opening a discussion. Rumor has it, that the building that is on the east wall of Underbelly (currently the church offices) might get converted into apartments.  After talking with friends involved heavily in city planning, urban development, and historic preservation, it would be tough to get an area re-zoned if the tenant next door could prove that there was a music venue that had been there for a while right outside.  As ole Cliffy put it, “the church has a lot of pull around here.”  

God is all well and good, but you come to Underbelly any night and try and tell me that there isn’t meaning there. I don’t know about you, but when you get a group of people gathered together, listening to music, under a gorgeous summer sky, you’re really going to try and tell us that God doesn't exist there too? These double standards get a bit silly after a while...  

We need to stop letting churches run this town. First Baptist Downtown? We all know the heavy hand that they hold.  Just saying, that all these people that act like they are "good", seem to be the ones trying to end some very good things. I disagree with this mentality. I also think that it is sad that it is even allowed to happen. But that's just the way it is sometimes.

The bottom line is that 5 pts. has been so-so for decades.  Right when new life starts getting breathed into it, misfortune always seems to bubble up again, and that new growth gets sterilized.  Sad. At the same time, sometimes this sterilization will actually work out for the better, because that growth can be transplanted into a much more well suited pot.  I have no doubt that Underbelly is coming back with a vengeance. When you guys see what becomes of it, you will all have a pleasant grin.

I also have no doubt that Ian and Marianne will do the same.  They have great ideas and tried and true establishments. Just bear with all of us while we get everything replanted.  Come this fall, all will be well...


Cameron Beard




ps- At the end of the day what's done is done.  For whatever reason, it just worked out the way it did.  We all just need to be looking forward now...

[Purplebike]

Holy cow! I hadn't heard this news, until I read it here. I will be sad to see these two businesses go, both are favorites of many locals in the neighborhood.

On the bright side, I think if these two businesses reestablish themselves over by where the two breweries are (Bold City & Intuition Ale Works), it could be a win win situation. That area will continue being developed, maybe they could even afford their own buildings over there right now. A good time to invest. Surely they could afford larger spaces for the same rent, anyway. For now.

Plus, I live closer to that area!

[John P]

I was driving around Springfield yesterday scouting space for another venture and noticed a variety of possible locations if your neighborhood location is flexible. The 9th and Main building is ideal and can be had for for around $200k. The former Burro bag Zombie bike co-op location on Main st can be had for under $150k. There are many spaces in the warehouse district that may work as well.

[PeeJayEss]

Good luck to you both. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. You should have some insane "Grand Closing" parties.

Keep 5Points Weird

[Tacachale]

It will be a shame to see these two places go. Best of luck, I look forward to seeing what you'll be able to do in a an area more accommodating to what you're doing.

[jerry cornwell]

We need to stop letting churches run this town. First Baptist Downtown? We all know the heavy hand that they hold.  Just saying, that all these people that act like they are "good", seem to be the ones trying to end some very good things. I disagree with this mentality. I also think that it is sad that it is even allowed to happen. But that's just the way it is sometimes.

A very realistic if pessimistic point to "downtown development"!

[AntigoneStarr]

Lomax moving to the King Street district? Eh... I think they get a bit too loud to be that close to so many residences. Heh.

I like the Brooklyn idea though, and 9th and Main - perhaps. Brooklyn, you can get outrageously loud over there. I know several bands rent out practice/rehearsal space in that area.

[jaxlore]

Brooklyn would work, but the right place with the right sound proofing could work on King, it is already becoming a night life hub, with Kickbacks, The Loft, Walkers, etc. Remember Art Bar was on King for years and never caused a problem (of course some might disagree with that statement, hence the reason they are not there anymore). But it would be cool to have a night life hub in bike\walking distance.