by Fred Pessaro // BBG

Pallbearer at Lovejoys (more by BBG)

Dear Lovejoys Friends and Family,

It is with great sadness and regret that I bring you the news that Lovejoys will be forced to close next month. After struggling for the last few years with rising costs and decreasing revenues, we can no longer afford to keep the doors open at 604 Neches.

It is not currently clear what our next move will be. Perhaps a neighborhood location with more parking and outdoor space or in the immortal words of founder Chip Tait upon his potential closure years ago, "Maybe I'll open a Wal-Mart. Those guys make money." As painful as it is, I look forward to taking a step back to breathe and to plot my next move. The soul of Lovejoys is bigger than just a building and I am confident that we will resurface in some fashion at some point.

As it stands, our final night will be Sunday, August 5th. I cannot begin to express the amount of gratitude owed to all of the incredible people who have called Lovejoys home over the last 18 years. The list is volumes long. Hopefully I will see you all at the pub during the next few weeks to personally thank you over a pint or two.

Cheers and Long Live The Order Of The Fez!

Eric

This is really sad news, and sucks for me personally too. Lovejoys has hosted some really incredible BrooklynVegan SXSW parties for us, with names like Ringworm, Nachtmystium, Pallbearer, Tombs, Dark Castle, Deafheaven, Alcest, Speedwolf, and so many other greats. It's really sad to know that the space will no longer be a part of the Lovejoys family, but onward and upward... we look forward to the future for Lovejoys.

via Facebook:

It is with a heavy heart that I announce after 11 years Momo's on 6th is closing. While I cannot go into all the details, legally I can say the following "The building that is currently home to Momo's is under construction and undergoing a large renovation. Under present circumstances, Momo's will no longer be operating at this location. The building owner is working with Momo's to secure a new home and hope to find one as soon as possible."

We are already scouting for new locations and hope to have an announcement in early 2012

-Paul

KUT points out:

Momo's is not alone. A number of downtown bars and restaurants have shuffled around this year: Union Park left West Sixth Street for the Domain, 219 West relocated to West Sixth from Fourth Street, and Hickory Street Bar and Grill made way for a future high rise.

"We are seeing a bit of an evolution in the area," said Kevin Burns, CEO and Founder of urbanspace Realtors. "Momo's was one of the pioneers in the West Sixth Street District." Burns said the residential developments in the West Sixth Street area helped promote the entertainment growth there.

Real estate investors bought the building both Momo's and Katz's Deli was housed in. Oveisi said he was already scouting for new locations and hoped to have an announcement in early 2012 of where Momo's would relocate. Burns speculated Momo's would be moving into an area with lower rent prices.

"I have so much respect for people that own live music venues in Austin because they are not as profitable as one might imagine," Burns said.

Emo's closed its 6th St & Red River doors forever on December 30th.

photos by Tim Griffin

Though there were rumors of its closing, the fact that Death By Audio 1979's ACL aftershow at Emo's Outside on 9/17 would be the LAST show to ever happen on that stage, seemed to come out of nowhere. Regardless, it happened and here are pictures from the simultaneously sad and joyous occasion. They continue below...

Continue reading "DFA1979 played the last-ever show @ Emo's Outside (pics)"