A day after the news broke that the Fort Caf茅 is set to close, its owners were able to laugh about the good times theyB次元官网网址檝e shared at the eclectic arts hub, one of the last easily accessible venues in Victoria for up-and-coming performers of all kinds.
When Benji Duke, Melissa Byrnes and Jon Perkins B次元官网网址� who had worked together at the previous Fort Street Caf茅 in the same location B次元官网网址� purchased the business in 2007, the caf茅 looked nothing like the groovy basement haunt that exists today.
Along with donated labour from friends and family, the trio replaced its drop ceiling, bisecting wall, and cafeteria-style array of disused fridges with pea green walls and board games, not unlike your dadB次元官网网址檚 basement where you can hang out and feel good, Duke said.
A key feature: the stage B次元官网网址� an element of ByrnesB次元官网网址� interior design that Duke couldnB次元官网网址檛 help but constantly admire when it was installed a year after the business opened.
B次元官网网址淚t was a treat,B次元官网网址� Perkins said of the early days after the stage was installed. B次元官网网址淚t was amazing. (Duke) would just hang out with it.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not builders,B次元官网网址� Byrnes said. B次元官网网址淪o when something like this happens, itB次元官网网址檚 quite rewarding.B次元官网网址�
The small stage B次元官网网址� built by PerkinsB次元官网网址� stepfather and a friend B次元官网网址� was christened by 54-40B次元官网网址檚 Neil Osborne exactly one year after the caf茅 opened, but itB次元官网网址檚 better known for hosting smaller acts.
For the last six years, indie bands, amateur comedians and fringe artists have had a chance to perform at the caf茅, which also serves a full menu. Following landlord Garnett RancierB次元官网网址檚 decision not to renew their lease, the owners fear independent artists in the city will be left without another accessible venue to get in front of an audience.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a relaxed atmosphere thatB次元官网网址檚 open to everybody,B次元官网网址� Byrnes said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not clean, slick and sterile. ItB次元官网网址檚 warm in lots of different senses of the word.B次元官网网址�
Rancier has been clear his decision is final and the doors will close one last time Dec. 15. The owners arenB次元官网网址檛 about to abandon the business, which employs about a dozen people and has become profitable within the last year.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 finally working,B次元官网网址� Duke said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e found the Holy Grail of an independent music venue with liquor, food and all-ages and itB次元官网网址檚 working B次元官网网址� now itB次元官网网址檚 going to stop? ThatB次元官网网址檚 the most heartbreaking thing. WeB次元官网网址檝e got it down and now itB次元官网网址檚 disappearing.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 feel itB次元官网网址檚 time to just give up,B次元官网网址� Perkins said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not done. Victoria needs what we provide.B次元官网网址�
Since the news hit, the caf茅 has been flooded with support from across the country. Social media has lit up with those saddened by the news, both locals and acts who have performed in The Fort and canB次元官网网址檛 bear the thought of its closure.
B次元官网网址淚 feel bad,B次元官网网址� said Rancier, who cited concerns over safe access to emergency evacuation as one of the primary factors behind his decision. B次元官网网址淚 appreciate and respect what theyB次元官网网址檝e done there, but theyB次元官网网址檝e changed from a breakfast and lunch caf茅 into an entertainment venue with alcohol which does not fit the premise IB次元官网网址檝e rented it under. B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 sorry to see them go and I hope they succeed in finding a more suitable location that will suit their needs better.B次元官网网址�
And while Byrnes, Perkins and Duke were initially shocked and dismayed, theyB次元官网网址檙e not wasting their final weeks in the caf茅 weighted down by negativity, opting instead to focus on the positive history theyB次元官网网址檝e had at The Fort.
The team is currently gauging support and brainstorming the possibility of relocating the business in which they estimate theyB次元官网网址檝e invested between $80,000 and $90,000 since opening. But before they can entertain the idea of launching elsewhere, theyB次元官网网址檙e first tasked with covering about $10,000 in closing costs.
The 80-person venue has seen more than 400 bands, 60 charities, and 3,300 comedians, actors, and stage performers, through its doors. The Fort has returned an estimated $300,000 in cover charge profits to artists, with many of the bands B次元官网网址� such as Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, Acres of Lions, MeatDraw or Hank & Lily B次元官网网址� staging their early performances at the caf茅 before garnering success outside of the city.
Over the years, The Fort has also hosted the much-loved Sunday Lowdown, The Friday Quiz, Open Stage, The Underground Comedy Fort and the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e asking for people to think about what it means to them and what it means if it isnB次元官网网址檛 here,B次元官网网址� Duke said. B次元官网网址淲e love this stage and weB次元官网网址檇 really love to have another one,B次元官网网址� Duke said.
To keep up with The Fort Caf茅B次元官网网址檚 calendar of events and updates on fundraising activities, visit .
nnorth@saanichnews.com
