Black Lodge owners have announced they will close the venue, citing “exorbitant rent” and “crippling debt” as reasons for the move.
Black Lodge opened on Cleveland in the Crosstown area in 2019. That move came after it closed its original location in Cooper-Young in 2014. That location opened in 2000.
The original location was, primarily, a video-rental store, housing a collection of more than 30,000 VHS tapes, DVDs, and more, according to a post on the Crosstown Concourse website. The new location rented movies but it was also a restaurant, bar, and a venue for live music, and events.
The owners announced the move to close in a Facebook post Tuesday evening.
Here’s the post in full:
”Dear Black Lodge Community,
“With heavy hearts, we must announce that Black Lodge is closing its doors after five unforgettable years. Your unwavering support, especially through the challenges of a global pandemic, has made this journey more magical than we ever could have imagined. Together, we created something truly special — a place where friends, art, music, and memories were made.
“Despite our modest financial backing, we poured our blood, sweat, and tears into building a venue that stood out in this city.
“Unfortunately, the weight of exorbitant rent and the crippling debt we incurred during Covid-19 have made it impossible to continue.
“We’ve fought hard, but the reality of a struggling economy means that nights out have become a luxury that many can no longer afford.
“For those still interested in Lodge’s movie library and rentals, the video store will be moving to a new location. We’ll be announcing about its new home soon.
“As we close this chapter on the venue, we hope that the memories you’ve made at Black Lodge will live on. Thank you for being part of our story. We will be open this weekend, so if you’d like to come say goodbye and party one last time, come on by!
“If you have any amazing photos or videos of your experiences at Black Lodge please post them in the comments.
“With love and gratitude,
Black Lodge”