Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Here’s the latest on the Emerald Lounge saga. The Emerald Lounge, on North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, is up for sale.
Greetings everyone,
I am sorry to inform you all that I am no longer managing the booking or promotion for Emerald Lounge at 112 N. Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, NC.
I truly apologize for any inconvenience in this process but I have been informed that due to unexpected financial circumstances, any and all upcoming shows scheduled at Emerald Lounge are indefinitely postponed until further notice. The owner is handling all emails, booking inquiries, etc.
I am greatly disappointed the grand plans for the future of the lounge never had the opportunity to come to fruition but I cannot thank the artists and amazing people of the community for the help and support over the last few months of my time with the Lounge. I love this community and the countless, incredible (local & traveling) artists who are inspired to share their art here. Thank you all for working together, constantly striving to improve the incredible music & arts scene of your community and beyond. Whether it be through sharing your own art or supporting another’s, we all have an important role to play and I sincerely wish each and every one of you all the best in the future.
For those interested, I plan to use this opportunity to focus more on my own creative endeavors- including continuing my primary, long-term music project, performing and recording with Marshall Brown (www.marshallbrown.bandcamp.com) and others- so I hope to see you all again soon!
Again, I sincerely thank EVERYONE for your support. It has been unbelievably appreciated and I greatly look forward to what the future brings for us all. Thanks again for helping to inspire. Continue looking out for each other and be well.
-Adam McMillan
I played many, many shows over the years at the Emerald Lounge with many different bands, starting all the way back in the ‘early days’ in 2004/2005 when it first opened. Heck, I remember that space BEFORE it was even the Emerald Lounge – it was a tea/coffee shop with a super funky vibe. It came a LONG way from those early days and, with lots of renovations, upgrade to the sound system, etc., became a really nice venue to play at, with great sound when Andrew was at the helm. It seems that everyone’s sour opinions of the place were formed well before the club improved. It definitely had its rough moments, and there was a time when I wouldn’t go there. BUT, I think the recent improvements and the vision for what the club could have been were great… but the execution just wasn’t there. Sadly, it’ll probably fall victim to more gentrification of Lexington and get swallowed up by someone looking to gut it for some more office space or condos.
Office space and condos?
How long since you walked North Lexington? Show me some ground level condos or offices along there, please.
Prices have gone up, yes. That is what happens when an area gets hip. Offices? No. Emerald Lounge will be replaced by another drinking space.
Lower Lexington and Asheville as a whole will be better off!
I got tired of the dudebros and smelly pits personally. I remember going to one reggae show there, and the rancid BO was so bad from the patrons it would make your eyes water. It would be nice to see it revitalized with a better buisiness model.
is this place worth preserving? been there once and i thought was one step below a dump.
Ongoing financial issues = “a saga” to me.
http://ashvegas.com/demosite/for-sale-the-emerald-lounge-bar-on-lexington-avenue-in-downtown-asheville
http://www.citizentimes.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/04/14/ashevilles-emerald-lounge-financial-trouble/7712113/
Nope. Not a saga, IMO. Just a bad business (likely with a bad business plan) struggling for revenue.
Not a big fan of the ELo. I haven’t been back since the sound guy turn off the sound for Custard Pie just because he didn’t like the band. Terribly unprofessional.
What exactly about this situation/a small business struggling to hang on makes it a “saga”?
nothing. he doesn’t understand the definition of “saga”.
I think you need Vikings.
Does that mean the Saga concert was cancelled?