The Morse Theatre, which opened in October to critical acclaim after a $6 million-plus renovation as a music hall and restaurant, may be closing in a matter of weeks.A dispute between a silent investor who underwrote much of the restoration and the three-man management team that operates the Morse is headed for litigation. Source/Read more.Infighting at the Morse? I'm shocked. Shocked, I say. I thought everything was great? That's what Joe Moore said anyway. How's Joe Moore going to use this as a campaign tool in 2011 if this folds?
RELATED: Arson at the Morse.
24 comments:
"We're trying to build an institution in Chicago that will last for a long, long time,"
Andy McGhee
November 2006
Wow - what is going on there? Why would you invest $6Million and shut the doors? Anyone have the scoop? I love that place - come on - work it out!
Anybody know that the property tax bill for the Morse went to $41,000 from $10,000.
So who pissed off the Pritzker family? It's a (perhaps) not-to-well-known fact that their money made the Morse Theater renovation possible.
That would be a lousy thing for our community and the people who put so very much effort and money into this great venue.
Sorry to hear this. Regardless of who supports it or not, it's a great addition to the community. I've seen a couple of jazz shows there, a couple of football games and had a good time each time. They CAN'T shut that thing down, not after all of that great work done to it. C'mon, hug it out you bitches (with apologies to Ari Gold)
Anybody know that the property tax bill for the Morse went to $41,000 from $10,000.
While this isn't fair, for the potential it brought to the community it was worth the backroom deal. It's not like its an alderman's private home that had it's property tax bill slashed that greatly.
That hasn't happened, right?
This is a true gem of a renewed Rogers Park, and specifically for Morse Ave. It would be horrible for them to go dark.
Having visited the venue, I really am not surprised. The place really was doomed to fail due to lack of parking and most importantly, seating.
It truly is a shame... It is a beautiful venue and could have done a lot for the area!
Did you say parking? My first issue with the project in the beginning.
I tend to agree with Chicago. It seems to the place suffers from a lack of urgency, both in customer service and getting the place open. As someone with 20 plus years in the hospitality industry, on all but one visit there I was disappointed. Although the food is quite good and the place is gorgeous, service, menu, and the managements style are lacking. The most important customer is the one you have in your establishment. It was rare that I felt valued so I just stopped going. I also think the drink prices in Public House are a little too pricey for this 'hood.
I truly hope this all works out and perhaps remains open under a fresh management with a more customer minded style of doing things.
Well, you called it. This boat was sunk before it ever left the dock.
It's 5:44 PM and the bar is closed. A sign on the door is directing delivery drivers to call a couple of numbers.
This isn't good for the street.
This is the saddest news of a sad year, somehow.
But this is unfortunately a ghastly climate for a new business. I haven't gone to the Morse because I'm hanging on to every dollar and so is everyone else.
Let's hope we don't lose too many fine local business because of The Great Depression 2, because this is looking like what this "recession" is becoming. One economist remarked that if unemployment were measured by the same metric used in the 30s, it would be 20%.
It's a raw deal for everyone and it's smashing many dreams.... all so our policy makers could cook up a nice wave of asset inflation and debt creation to line the back pockets of a few centimillionaires on Wall St, and so a few million morons could play Trump Wannabes and live far over their heads for a few years.
I sincerely hope that McGee finds other financing or somehow pulls it all together another way, but in this horrible time, I doubt it.
There's like dozens of shows scheduled that some of us have tickets for! WTF?
We hired a taxi up to Morse tonight, first to go to the Morse Theatre. Was surprised and saddened to see that it was closed.
Ended up in Dukes instead. There was a live act, well so much as a bunch of guys tuning their guitars.
Hopefully the Morse Theatre will reopen soon, I think too much has been invested in this property to let it sit unused,
North Coast, unfortunately, this is one of the reasons a lot of businesses are closing. People should not be afraid to spend a little. My wife and I love to go out to breakfast on the weekends... there is no way we are giving that up!
Unfortunately, my ability to spread money around has been reduced somewhat.
These days, it's repair and refurb instead of replace.
Used instead of new.
Serve pizza and wine at home vs going out.
Pay down the CC bills and put more money away... the best thing you can do for the economy. We're learning that debt does not create wealth.
We're going through a debt hangover now, and nothing good will happen until we get over the idea that running up more bills makes us wealthier. Unfortunately, it's going to take a while for our leaders to twig this, as they devise ever more ways to keep floating more unrepayable debt.
After reading this I called over there and they are taking reservations for tonight...crisis averted for Morse Ave?
I hear you! I finally got out of debt, but I am still trying to at least have a little fun.
I emailed The Morse theatre and the alderman's office several times when they opened asking what they planned to do about parking. I certainly know my friends aren't going to come from the near north side to walk a few blocks and they sure as hell aren't taking or getting off at the Morse L!! If they didn't offer onsite parking, then they needed valet. The Alderman's office suggested meters a few blocks away and other idiotic responses. I knew you certainly were not going to get city, near north or north shore without convenient safe parking.
RaZalDAZLR, when are your friends moving to the country?
This is truly sad to hear.
Would anyone be willing to share their opinions or ideas in a news story?
I am a graduate student and business reporter with Northwestern University's Medill News Service working on a story about the potential closing of the Morse. I am particularly interested in learning about the impact the theater's closing could have on the Rogers Park business community.
I hope it's not true as I'd like to see this business succeed. I'm with North Coast though...their drinks are a bit pricey and frankly, with one income right now and my student loan debt we are stretched as far as we can go. Little Cesar's is a fancy meal for us these days.
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