parlour on clark
Jennifer Murphy: 'We hoped it was going to be around for a while.'
Chicago, IL -
Owners of Parlour on Clark, located at 6341 N. Clark St., confirmed rumors that the far north bar will be shuttered on Sunday, Aug. 10
"The rumors are true, Parlour on Clark is closing," read a mass email sent Wednesday to customers from owners Nikki Calhoun and Jennifer Murphy.
The bar opened on Aug. 27, 2010 in Edgewater, seemingly filling the void in a neighborhood with an ever-growing LGBT population.
"Nikki and I took a run down tavern in an area of the city that we loved and turned it into a space that would provide a home for artists, musicians, comedians, drag queens, and many amazing dance parties," Murphy told ChicagoPride.com.
The women completely gutted the space, and with the help of designer Jason Berry and artist Jason Thissell, they created a warm and welcoming environment for the LGBT community.
"We hoped it was going to be around for awhile," said Murphy. "What we learned was that people were less focused on supporting a local business and more interested in finding the newest bar, event, club, restaurant or party."
As business declined Murphy and Calhoun looked to sale the bar, but according to Murphy, their plan was derailed by a liquor moratorium on the location.
"We went from signing a business listing contract with an appraised value of $125,000 to finding out we were not able to transfer our liquor license due to the moratorium and therefore not able to sell," explained Murphy.
"As devastating as this has been Nikki and I are proud of our efforts and mostly proud of the money we were able to raise for some great organizations through the many benefits that were held at the bar," she added. "We are also very thankful for the wonderful people we were able to meet that have passed through our great bar."
Parlour on Clark will be open Wednesday to Friday from 7 p.m. - 2 a.m., Saturday from 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. and Sunday, Aug. 10 from 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. The bar is offering $2 and $3 drink specials and will be cash only on the final day of business.
Music equipment, barware, furniture and fixtures will be put up for sale on Aug. 14 and 15.
"The rumors are true, Parlour on Clark is closing," read a mass email sent Wednesday to customers from owners Nikki Calhoun and Jennifer Murphy.
The bar opened on Aug. 27, 2010 in Edgewater, seemingly filling the void in a neighborhood with an ever-growing LGBT population.
"Nikki and I took a run down tavern in an area of the city that we loved and turned it into a space that would provide a home for artists, musicians, comedians, drag queens, and many amazing dance parties," Murphy told ChicagoPride.com.
The women completely gutted the space, and with the help of designer Jason Berry and artist Jason Thissell, they created a warm and welcoming environment for the LGBT community.
"We hoped it was going to be around for awhile," said Murphy. "What we learned was that people were less focused on supporting a local business and more interested in finding the newest bar, event, club, restaurant or party."
As business declined Murphy and Calhoun looked to sale the bar, but according to Murphy, their plan was derailed by a liquor moratorium on the location.
"We went from signing a business listing contract with an appraised value of $125,000 to finding out we were not able to transfer our liquor license due to the moratorium and therefore not able to sell," explained Murphy.
"As devastating as this has been Nikki and I are proud of our efforts and mostly proud of the money we were able to raise for some great organizations through the many benefits that were held at the bar," she added. "We are also very thankful for the wonderful people we were able to meet that have passed through our great bar."
Parlour on Clark will be open Wednesday to Friday from 7 p.m. - 2 a.m., Saturday from 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. and Sunday, Aug. 10 from 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. The bar is offering $2 and $3 drink specials and will be cash only on the final day of business.
Music equipment, barware, furniture and fixtures will be put up for sale on Aug. 14 and 15.
