Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Village Tavern shuts down

The Mt. Pleasant venue locked its doors this week

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 1:58 PM

 

VTlogo.jpg

East Cooper bar and music venue the Village Tavern closed for business on Sat. Jan. 21. Manager John Morlan broke the news to City Paper today. Morlan and talent buyer David Warren took over the Crickentree Village venue in mid-2010 and invested a considerable amount of hard work renovating the kitchen, bar, and live music areas, adding a new stage and PA system. They opened for business on Nov. 18, 2010.

Original owner Trey Lofton opened the Village Tavern in 2002. Through the years, the venue established itself as a hotspot for original live music.

"It was a culmination of factors," Morlan says of the decision to close. "Business was up down at times, but that's to be expected with us being in business less than 18 months. It really was a culmination of various business and personal issues that led us to a business asset sale."

The ongoing construction project along Johnnie Dodds Boulevard in front of the venue discouraged traffic into the shopping center as well. Other businesses and restaurants in the area continue to struggle with the issue.

"It was a fun and interesting year or so," Morlan adds. "We offered something we thought Charleston would love. We always wanted a place where people could go and get great food, have lots of different beer, and see live music. I thought there were enough sports bars in the world. I feel like we had some great bands play, and there were a ton of little-known but extremely talented musicians that took that stage. The Tavern was important to us for several reasons besides the nostalgia of us going out and seeing live music there in our younger days. We wanted there to be a live music venue east of the Cooper. Even though some complained that we changed the interior, we tried to keep the spirit of the old place, which to me was this place to go see great live music acts. I think we accomplished that."

Morlan says that there's already a new owner with plans to reopen the venue under a different name in the near future. Stay tuned.

Topics: Bars + Clubs

Tags: , , ,

  |  

Related Locations

Comments (18)

Showing 1-18 of 18

Add a comment

That is some crap news. Del the Funky Homosapian at the VT is still one of the best shows Ive seen...well I think....Damn, don't even remember it. But I hear it was good

report 9 of 9 people like this.   
Posted by Foodmancing on January 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM

The MC Chris show there was pretty awesome.

report 2 of 2 people like this.   
Posted by narayanis on January 24, 2012 at 3:09 PM

These places ought to close down. Alcohol is the most dangerous drug that kills more people than all other drugs combined.

report 3 of 43 people like this.   
Posted by Clarkie on January 24, 2012 at 9:59 PM

Tobacco is the most dangerous drug that kills more people than all others combined.
Look it up.

report 20 of 24 people like this.   
Posted by FCB on January 24, 2012 at 10:13 PM

Clarkie, you are an idiot.

report 16 of 17 people like this.   
Posted by Foodmancing on January 24, 2012 at 10:51 PM

I put all my effort and soul into that place, so anyone just assuming that any bar is just consumed with alcohol, you good sir are incorrect.

The Village Tavern this past year was a home to me and will always remember this year as one of my favorite. We were bringing in people from all across the southeast and we had nothing but great times and love to share.

Thanks for everything VT

report 19 of 21 people like this.   
Posted by Tyler Boone on January 25, 2012 at 12:08 AM

What with all the wars, inquisitions, witch burning, etc, I'd have to say religion is the second most dangerous drug.

report 11 of 14 people like this.   
Posted by FCB on January 25, 2012 at 12:27 AM

Very sad news when a music venue closes down in any area. These places bring life and happiness to a lot of people. For me, personally, the VT was a place that believed in our band and gave us a residency that I won't soon forget. Cheers!

report 8 of 8 people like this.   
Posted by Campbell on January 25, 2012 at 8:07 AM

Sorry to hear this....i feel your pain! For some reason it's hard to find support for live music. I wish you guys the best of luck.

report 3 of 3 people like this.   
Posted by Brad Freeman on January 25, 2012 at 9:10 AM

I'm sorry to hear that... they went in and addressed every problem that the old VT had and still only made it 14 months. I hope the buy-out leaves you guys at least near a wash or above water... keep dreaming big!

report 4 of 4 people like this.   
Posted by factoryconnection on January 25, 2012 at 9:10 AM

I kind of figured this was going to happen. The old village tavern would bring in some pretty stellar live shows, Pedro the Lion, Matt Pond PA, Jucifer, American Football, etc. The VT would have the same bands as the Pour House and any other venue that plays jam band music. We need a venue to bring in outside acts that have a draw, not the same local acts that you can see any where, any weekend.

report 2 of 2 people like this.   
Posted by HolyMoses on January 26, 2012 at 9:23 AM

It is always sad to hear that any music venue is closing down. Sorry i never got the chance to come to your club. I am a huge fan of anyone willing to take a chance, win or lose where music is concerned. good luck in your next venture.

report 1 of 1 people like this.   
Posted by Dragonhearted1 on January 26, 2012 at 10:10 AM

actually the dumb ass disease kills the most people and some people are ate up with it!!

report 0 of 3 people like this.   
Posted by Kerry Barrineau on January 26, 2012 at 10:44 AM

This is awful news. VT was the best venue in Mount Pleasant, but it did become a pain to get to with all the construction. Really sucks.

report   
Posted by AlexEatsKittens on January 27, 2012 at 1:01 PM

"Best venue in Mount P" cannot be a really hard competition to win.

report 3 of 5 people like this.   
Posted by mat catastrophe on January 27, 2012 at 4:05 PM

The venue was excellent with awesome bands, but the food just wasn't up to the standards of the rest of the place.

report   
Posted by local yokel on January 29, 2012 at 9:51 AM

Hope they have a jam session at the new place once a month!

report 0 of 1 people like this.   
Posted by ggwahlers on January 30, 2012 at 12:17 PM

I hope the new owner will consider doing an open jam session once a month!

report 0 of 1 people like this.   
Posted by ggwahlers on January 30, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Subscribe to this thread:
By Email
With RSS
Showing 1-18 of 18

Add a comment

Classified Listings
{ more } Recent Comments
{ more } Reader Reviews
  • Diamonds North
    There is nothing worse than a bitter fired employee. I work at a plant near… -boeingguy51
  • Pearlz
    Fantastic service!

    We visited on a busy Friday night and the restaurant was…     -twa318
  • Novel.
    hi lauren hope your business does great ,we miss you all love uncle dean -Dean Hays
  • Autobanh Food Truck
    I had an amazing sandwich tonight! Please go check them out soon. I promise that… -chssean
  • Halls Chophouse
    I just had dinner at Halls for the first time recently and I admit, I… -aegr
Most Viewed

Powered by Foundation   © Copyright 2012, Charleston City Paper   RSS