April 13, 2007
Death knell for Tonic on the Lower East Side
 Bobbing like a sinking beacon to the uber-rich eating New York, Tonic will shutter on the Lower East Side after a final gig tonight, according to the club owners.
The note on the venue's website tells the story simply:
After more than 9 years as a home for avant-garde, creative, and experimental music, Tonic will reluctantly close its doors on Friday, April 13th, 2007. We simply can no longer afford the rent and all of the other costs associated with doing business on the Lower East Side.
The neighborhood around us has been increasingly consumed by "luxury condominiums", boutique hotels and glass towers, all making the value of our salvaged space worth more then our business could ever realistically support. We have also been repeatedly harassed by the city's Quality of Life Task Force which resulted in the debilitating closing of the ))sub((tonic lounge in January. Coincidentally, this campaign began as our immediate neighbor, the Blue Condominium building - a symbol of the new Lower East Side - prepared to open its doors.
... It is, however, unfortunate that it is so difficult for small businesses to operate in this city and that a chain store that can afford a high rent is more desirable than a place like Tonic that has a different kind of value. Tonic hopes to reopen elsewhere in New York City.
A protest is planned at Tonic for Saturday at 11 a.m., according to music blogger Brooklyn Vegan. The aim: "STOP THE LOSS OF IMPORTANT VENUES, ONE BY ONE FORCED TO CLOSE BY RENT INCREASES AT AN ALARMING RATE.
Tonic is located at 107 Norfolk St., map.
Meanwhile, the building housing the Knitting Factory is up for sale, but the music club has a lease through 2009, according to Downtown Express. And the broker showing the property assures Knitting fans that the club will be safe: “Everyone we’ve shown the property to has been thrilled that they’re the tenant. They’re an institution.”
Earlier: Inside CBGB during the final week on the Bowery
Bad news for Luna Lounge, Fez, CBGB and Tonic
April 13, 2007 04:26 PM in Downtown, Drinkology
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