by June Leffler
Groucho’s Bar and Karaoke announced via their Facebook page that they will be closing at the end of January. While customers bemoaned the news and many praised the work they had done in their four years of business, the owners only said that there is by no means a lack of financial support.
The bar’s success, despite not being zoned to sell hard liquor, along with the anticipated business due to Germantown’s growth leave little reason as to why the owners would voluntarily close.
Groucho’s will be closing because their landlord, Lisa Dolson of the former Lisa’s OakStreet Lounge, refuses to renew their lease. However, Dolson has not explained the reason for this and has discontinued contact with Groucho’s owners since last summer.
“We’ve called and emailed her but she never responds,” said Steve Rogers aka Groucho. “We want to continue the business, but she’s stonewalling us.”
The negligent communication had led to poor upkeep of the building and an earlier eviction notice, despite Groucho’s consistently paying their rent. Last November, Groucho’s desperately tried to contact Dolson because their liquor license was expiring just three months before their building lease ran out. After no contact, the owners renewed their liquor license for another year, despite not being able to renew their lease. This instance became a confirmation of Dolson’s refusal to cooperate.
Having heard customer and neighborhood comments on Dolson and Lisa’s Oak Street Lounge, Groucho’s can only speculate that she wants to move a new business into the same building.
“Lisa told me originally that this space was jinxed. Bars here wouldn’t even last six months,” said Minae Rogers. “She knows we’ve been doing well here for a while and might want to do something similar here.”
Besides Groucho’s longevity, Steve and Minae Rogers expect the new Germantown Mill Lofts across the street (set to be finished by fall 2015) to almost guarantee a worthwhile business venture.
I spoke with Lisa Dolson, but she declined my request to interview.
Groucho’s owners are open to the idea of relocating the business. This year they have looked at several locations, but have yet to find an appropriate venue.
“We’d like to stay in Germantown or even move to the Highlands, Old Louisville or Market Street,” said Steve Rogers, “but we also need to find a place suitable for a karaoke setup.”
Even if Groucho’s does not relocate, Rogers said he’s interested in karaoke jockeying around town.
A public outcry from customers appeared on the business’s Facebook page after they announced their closing.
Jake Reber, a longtime patron and host of Groucho’s Comedy Attack, said Groucho’s has a strange atmosphere that matched how he was feeling when he stumbled across the bar. Jake Reber lived near the bar and felt it became his own.
“When I first walked in Steve was playing Sun Ra’s “Nuclear War”, and I love that song,”said Reber. “Steve and I have a lot of shared interests.”
Reber then began hosting the biweekly Comedy Attack.
“I learned how to be a comic here, and Steve helped me learn how to host a show,” said Reber.
Like many others, Reber is heartbroken over the news.
“I just want to ride the magic with everyone and see what should and will happen. I don’t want to be bitter, and maybe this will help Groucho’s find a more adept place to sell liquor and work with a better landlord.”
Groucho’s Bar and Karaoke is a mom and son run bar on Goss Avenue, known for its dive setting and cult and nerd flair. Groucho’s has hosted four Halloween screenings of Troll 2, the bi-weekly Comedy Attack, music and theatrical shows, and costume parties over four years.
Groucho’s last day of business will be either January 24th or 25th.
Parallel Likes 