August 11, 2005

CBGB wins back-rent court fight, lease still expiring

CBGB won a round in court yesterday as a judge ruled the famed punk rock club does not owe thousands of dollars in back rent to its landlord, who has notified the club its lease expires at the end of this month.

In her ruling, Newsday said Manhattan Civil Court Judge Joan M. Kenney shelled out praise for the club, which has been operating at 315 Bowery (map,) since 1973 and helped launched bands such as The Ramones and Blondie. The club is "the anchor of what has become the 'renaissance' of the Bowery," she wrote. "CBGB has had both a local and worldwide impact that continues to reverberate today."

The landlord, the not-for-profit homeless aid group BRC, did not comment on the ruling but previously said it would consider offering CBGB a new lease after it settled up on back rent and building code violations. Nearing the Aug. 31 expiration of the current lease, CBGB has held fundraisers led by Steven Van Zandt, guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and an actor in "The Sopranos." But if the club closes, there has been talk of it relocating to Las Vegas.

CBGB's owner, Hilly Kristal, says he worries the landlord will raise his monthly rent to $40,000 from the $19,500 charged the past 12 years. For comparison sake, an earlier Post story noted sales of the popular CBGB T-shirts was "a $2 million business in 2004."

Related:
CBGB: No Scalpers, Sold Out NOT Sold Out - Brooklyn Vegan
It rocked, but CBGB should RIP - Post
Never trust a punk club over 30? - NY Times
CBGB Day 1 & Washington Square Park on the 31st - Brooklyn Vegan
Steven Van Zant, CBGB & The Sopranos - Brooklyn Vegan

Earlier: CBGB's landlord is done negotiating
CBGB desperately seeking 'landmark status'
CBGB fundraiser: punk rock chocolates
Bad news for Luna Lounge, Fez, CBGB and Tonic

August 11, 2005 08:07 AM in Etceterology

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