CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Warehouse Concert Lounge and Event Center will make a return in a new location, possibly by December.
The doors to The Warehouse were shut on McClure Street on Aug. 7 after it was announced that the property owner, Robert Roylance, decided to sell the property for residential zoning. It was at this time that longtime owner and operator, Mike Souza, decided to sell the business to Eric Elliott.
Elliott, owner of River City Remodeling Services, says he spoke with Souza about buying into the business around the time the doors closed. Elliott said he did some remodeling work on the original building and decided he wanted to purchase the name and physical assets to keep the Warehouse alive.
“This is a little bit different for me. I’ve always been in construction,” Elliott said. “The only reason I did it is because my heart was wrapped up in the original Warehouse and seeing the people.”
Keeping the vibe alive
The Warehouse was a hub for many metal and rock fans in Clarksville. The atmosphere of the new building is designed reflect that of the old one.
“I’ve gone to festivals everywhere. I’ve traveled and went to shows at small clubs, but there was something about the vibe of the Warehouse family. It’s a unique environment. The people, the way they come together in Clarksville.”
While the new location will feature familiar elements, there will be some changes. Elliott said concerts will still be primarily metal and rock, but that other genres may be mixed in.
In addition, the hours will look a bit different, along with a few other notable shifts.
“Mike’s building was open Wednesday through Saturday, typically from 8 o’clock until a bar would close. I’m looking at something a little bit different. We’re looking at actually opening up the building that we’re using as a full-service daytime restaurant.”
There are plans to serve lunch from around 11 a.m. until about 5 p.m., when the atmosphere will transfer to a concert venue.
The young crowd
Many people in the community have spoken out about a lack of entertainment for high school-aged kids. Elliott is looking at something that could provide a new option for teens.
“We’re even thinking about doing something once a month where we don’t sell alcohol on a Monday night, and it’s the younger high school bands that get to come up,” Elliott explained. “It’s an alcohol-free night to let the younger generation have a place to come play.”
Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to customers during this time.
Serving the community
“With me, it’s a passion project,” Elliott told Clarksville Now. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces back at the Warehouse when we get the doors open.”
The new owner explained that he has spoken with a local brewery and with some other folks in the entertainment district about working together. He said he is hoping to find more ways to serve the community.
“Mike (Souza) started this. This was Mike’s legacy. I don’t have children, so we can share a legacy together, and if we can create something and keep something going that’s here after we’re gone, then we left a good thing.”
More details are expected to be announced closer to opening. Doors could open as soon as December, according to Elliott. Much of that will depend on the speed of paperwork.
The exact location will be announced in the next couple of weeks. Elliott did tell Clarksville Now that the new building is located along Riverside Drive within five minutes of the old location.
Correction: Eric Elliott’s last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this report. It has been updated.