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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Map Room closes its doors

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:06 PM

Some sad news hit the office this week: West Ashley music venue and bar The Map Room is halting operations and shutting its doors this Friday, May 16*.

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Located in the Village Square Shopping Center at 1650 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. in West Ashley, the venue has mixed it up with a wild variety of live rock, blues, jazz, and pop music four-to-five nights a week. They also featured weekly trivia and karaoke nights, DJ dance nights, hip-hop concerts, open mic events, and occasional theatrical performances.“It was weird — over the last few months, people just stopped coming out,” says manager, co-owner, and main booking dude Ryan Brown. “I couldn’t book anything that would bring ’em out. We’ve had some pretty big acts — some of whom drew large crowds before — and the crowds were surprisingly small. I did the numbers and had to make the call.”
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Brown oversaw the renovation of the space (formerly used by Johnson & Wales) in the summer and fall of 2005. They officially opened in November of that year. By their one-year mark, they’d settled into a more rock club and tavern vibe. An unusual collection of flags adorned the walls. The stage area went from totally bare to busily decorated. The sound and lighting situation improved. The dinner menu expanded. Regulars crowded around the horseshoe-shaped bar during happy hour. 98x’s Local X crew and other local radio stations folks supported shows.Brown and his staff booked some of the weirdest bands and artists on the road and in town — touring bands from cool music scenes and exotic locations, up-and-coming local acts, international groups hitting S.C. for the first time, and popular regional original bands. They booked acoustic acts of various styles during happy hour. They booked campy tribute bands and seasonal special events. They pulled nationally-known touring bands away from other, more established Charleston music venues. Despite their diligent efforts and idealism, the financial reality became clear this month.“It’s a million little things,” says Brown, “but the main factors were the effects of the recent smoking ban, the state of the economy, and the rise in gasoline prices, which affected the amount of money we had to guarantee certain bands, and affected how often people came out to West Ashley.”Their website (www.themaproom.net) went down on Tuesday, although their Myspace page is still up (www.myspace.com/maproom). Brown had to cancel all of the May and June shows scheduled. He predicts a bit of a Map Room comeback down the line, though.“I’d like to tell people that the Map Room is going underground for a while,” Brown says. He and some of his staff are already considering freelance booking and production work around town, as well as ideas for a new venue. “We’re closing this week, but we’ll resurface somewhere in West Ashley, somehow or another.”

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that sucks, I liked the small crowds, but as a business man, you have to make the right call. Maybe move to a different location in West Ashley. All the character of the bar on the inside is lost to the blank storefront look of Strip Malls. Hope to see you guys somewhere else, thanks for the music.

Posted by Brad on May 13, 2008 at 3:45 PM | Report this comment
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I liked going to the Map Room - I guess I just didn't go often enough...

Posted by Cam on May 13, 2008 at 4:57 PM | Report this comment
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* City Paper man Derek Judson just informed us that the club got a bit of a head start and shut it's doors even earlier — on Tues. May 13th. So it's bye-bye Map Room already.

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on May 14, 2008 at 8:38 AM | Report this comment
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GodDammit!!!!!!! Next Tuesday Peelander-z was going to play! Do you know how long I've waited to see them!!!!!! Please, please, please stay in West Ashley Map Room. DD

Posted by devindukes on May 15, 2008 at 7:02 AM | Report this comment
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devin No kidding!!! I had about 4 shows this month that I was waiting for, this sucks! I understand Map Room, but you should have stopped booking bands, and fulfill their obligations to us and them that you advertised for, THEN close!

Posted by Brad on May 15, 2008 at 8:07 AM | Report this comment
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Even better --- I'm on tour from Portland, Oregon. I showed up for my show Wed May 14 and nobody was home... I didn't get a call or email. It was really classy sitting on the curb out front waiting for friend/fans & telling them "I guess there's no show" thanks Map Room !!! very professional..

Posted by will west on May 15, 2008 at 9:31 AM | Report this comment
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will, sorry to hear that. Charleston prides itself on its music scene, and this is definitely a thorn in our side. Please come back, but to the Pour House instead. They have a grea following. I'd be there.

Posted by Brad on May 15, 2008 at 9:43 AM | Report this comment
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So it looks like Pollstar is still updating bookings for The Map Room...it's a shame because it looks like Deerhunter were scheduled to play there July 31. We need another Map Room in West Ashley!

Posted by Scott E on May 18, 2008 at 8:38 PM | Report this comment
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Thanks Brad. I'll look into the Pour House next time... I'm still pretty salty about the Map Room incident. I've tried to email Ryan Brown a few times since then --- not even a response or apology. It's not only the lost $$ for the gig that hurts. It's their apparent lack of concern for the musicians involved... In my years in the music industry -- i've stumbed across some shady business practices. This was one of the worst... I love Charleston & all the wonderful musicians I've met there... cheers. -ww

Posted by will west on May 19, 2008 at 1:34 PM | Report this comment
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Not going to be missed by me one bit! I'm glad there is a smooking ban. I prefer to breathe & I don't want to be breathing the crap other people are exhaling. The Map Room was the most boring place I've been in Charleston. It has a bad location. Who wants to go to West Ashley (frumptown)anyway? I treid to book a band there & NEVER received a response from Ryan. He was always "in a staff meeting". Not going to miss it one bit.

Posted by lantanagurl on May 21, 2008 at 8:25 AM | Report this comment
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Thanks a lot for telling all the bands you already booked! This went down over two weeks ago??? Take a look at Will West's comment. That would have been me and my band in about 3 weeks. Maybe it's this kind of lack of consideration that lead to lack of attendance. Well, I guess it's "good ridance" to bad business.

Posted by Jim Carroll on May 27, 2008 at 4:50 PM | Report this comment

just cuz you work at a music club, don't think it's a good idea to book your own bands on the "hot nights"...get a clue...ooops...i guess you did....

Posted by only the shadow knows on July 2, 2009 at 1:28 AM | Report this comment

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T. Ballard Lesemann
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