It seems like the Iguana only has a few months left of life....the new tenant, a chicago or new york style pizza place is expected to move in but I can't help but think Tom is holding out on the hope that he can secure a last minute deal to extend his lease. I hope so...the Iguana shared the building with me and I have 13 years of crazy time, untold drinks and many friends at the Iguana. Jayson is current bar manager and I have to wonder what he'll do if the bar closes.
While the Iguana is smelly, dirty and nasty it's a pretty fun "college style" bar that rarely has problems and very rarely anything serious. We had a chance to lease the space before Tom and I wish we had just agreed to pay what seemed like a ridiculous lease rate at the time. Our plan was substantial improvements and a more urban style experience. Closer to what 51 Wharf was doing but this was back in 1997--we were going to use Russian women we had met during out time in Novosibirsk.
Oh well. So apparently The Mecury is now called the "Cactus" and is going southwest theme with the expectation of Iguana shutting down. Musical chairs continue.
What else..Una's is expanding...more room for a dance floor? The vacuum created by the loss of the Pavilion, Headliners, Liquid Blue, Industry/Cake, etc does need to be filled...188 ain't it. In fact 188 is barely surviving and only due to it's Friday night chem free. Word is that Mark Judd is running the front door on chem free night.
Both 51 Wharf and the "new" oasis run by Nick are working hard to keep out the hardcore urban element that frequented Threeways...leaving the question where is the hardcore urban hip hop crowd going? Word on the street is that Susan Chase(of the shortlived threeways) has announced a future opening of threeways in downtown Portland. Where? Maybe something on Congress?
The former Alehouse space is being reopened...and called...ERIKS. For those that are older than 23 may remember that Eriks was the former bar located there before the Alehouse.
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3 comments:
I know for a fact that the Diggers/Liquid Blue renovations is not just a "paint job" and they are putting close to a quarter of a million dollars into them.
Also, there is no "proxy ownership" shady ownership deal going on.
Just my 2 cents from someone that knows the REAL scoop.
Hello Bhanson,
My name is Enzo Raggiani, and myself and Ryan Byther are opening the previous locations of Liquid Blue/Diggers. It would be our pleasure to invite you down to the new locations to see the renovations for yourself. We would also like to give you more details about what our plans are with the 2 establishments. We are working very hard to clean up the Old Port and it upsets us to have negative rumors go around about what we are doing. Let us know when you are free to meet with us.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Enzo,
eraggiani@erentertainment.net
Thanks for the heads up. I took out the passage for now but you should know that most of the old port area employees and insiders have a different view. Not that it should matter, but given the past year, a new owner with claims of upscaling an establishment are met with some skepticism. I think there is a GREAT opportunity in those spaces and a chance to push that end of the street in a new direction. Good Luck!
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