Body count rising as bars close on Lower Greenville

by Avi Adelman of Barking Dogs

LOWER GREENVILLE — The number of empty bar spaces, and spaces being converted from bars to (legal) restaurants, took a jump this weekend with the closing of Stout and Lucky's this weekend.

We're not sure if you can blame bad management, the stagnating economy, Resident Parking Only, or a combination of all three.

Here's the most current list of closings and changes (per street gossip and BD's sources):

• Lucky's / Crush - A teetering business model tipped over a few times. Sources tell BD they were already months behind on the rent. After getting their Special Use Permit renewed, they planned to renovate. Never happened. This week, the only owner still in the house (the other is way out of country) threw in the towel and took out his fixtures, and the building was locked up by the landlord. No info on future tenants.
• Stout - James Slaughter is finally (I hope) off of Lower Greenville. He sold Whisky Bar earlier this year, then took residence in Stout's septic tank. Now Stout is closed, the business bought out by the property owner who was not happy with the potential buyers Slaughter had in mind. Look for a new management company and possibly a real restaurant.
• Firehouse / Terrible Pizza - The most accurately named business on the street, closed its doors about five months ago.
• What Bar - Never quite got off the ground, but its bad reputation for loud parties spread through the neighborhood quickly. Has been shuttered for about a year.
• RagWear - Property owner won't lease to a bar or restaurant, for good reasons. Empty for about 18 months (not counting the psychic)
• SideBar - Was closed down by the TABC, now operated on an irregular basis by the owners of Shade, no new name yet.
• Speakeasy - Also closed down by the TABC at least twice, was closed for a few months after discovering that giving away the liquor does not make any profit. Opened on Friday night.
• Blarney Stone - Closed down before last Christmas, was deep in rent arrears. Facade was scraped clean but now only street people sleep on the patio.
• Avenue Bar / Grill - Closed down by city for various code issues, being renovated into restaurant operated by same folks taking over Ali Baba space, new name is 180 Degrees
• Ibero Ultra Latin Cuisine - in former home of Ali Baba (now in Lakewood), the restaurant had a soft opening on Friday night with grand opening in a few weeks

There is a tiny little space next to the tattoo shop, but it's so small you have to go outside to change your mind. Recently gutted, new window/door installed, but not big enough for a bar or restaurant.

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