Orlando Improv has closed it's doors. I know it has something to do with the sale of the building after the Lou Pearlman debacle. Anyone know the details?Absolute shame. I hope this place doesn't end up off I-drive like howl at the moon. Never fun seeing downtown lose some of it's more cherished venues.
UPDATE: According to Orlando Metromix, Improv has closed due to disagreements with Cameron Kuhn, the new owner of the building.
"[Bob] Joyce [tampa general manager] says they are seeking a lawsuit against Kuhn for breaches in contract, one of them being not renewing the club's liquor license. He wouldn't comment any further but to say an official press release will be sent out on Monday and the Orlando Improv is actively seeking a new location."
Etan Horowitz, technology reporter for the Sentinel, commented with a link to today's paper discussing a new restaurant that will be entering the space. Some sort of rustic steak house concept. At the end of the article though, it's suggested that Kuhn, who purchased the building from bankrupt mogul Lou Pearlman, may be facing his own financial difficulties: a legal battle with one of his lenders, tightening credit, and, well, evidently a new lawsuit with the Improv.
Great.
At this pace Church Street will end up with a "rustic" philly cheese steak hut and a big lots.
Best of luck to the Improv, and please, if at all possible, find a new place downtown!
UPDATE #2: Cory has a write up worth checking out with more detail on the Kuhn-Improv situation.
Comments...
(Page 1)1. Yeah, sucks. I just heard a few weeks ago they had renewed their lease for a while so was surprised to hear this today.
3:14PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Chris Scott
2. There's a new restaurant going in there. story in today's paper.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-church0407oct04,0,6061434.story
4:10PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Etan Horowitz
3. Ah man, that really isn't cool. I've been several times to the Improv and was happy to have that resource within walking distance of my house. So no more comedy, but rather another mediocre chain restaurant?? No offense, but Orlando really doesn't have the cuisine thing down too well at all.
4:54PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Greg Pederson
4. Greg,
To be fair, we still have SAK which will be celebrating it's 30th birthday or some craziness soon.
I was really hoping to see church street turn back into a place where you could go eat and have non-club entertainment though.
Back in the day when I was still just a lad, I could go there and find things to do while my above-age friends hit up chillers/etc. Next thing I know, they bulldozed the complex for a condo building next to a train track, closed all the activities, kicked out the comedy club, and are, I don't know, putting in an outback or some craziness.
I miss the days when downtown had church st. terror, q-zar, some crazy 3d arcade thing, bungee, jungle jims, howl at the moon and the rest of it. Church St Station with all its venues and great bars.. Man..
Ponchero's is pretty cool though, I guess...
Damn shame.
5:04PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Alex Rudloff
5. It's interesting how anyone who was part of the Orlando Improv kept their mouth shut. The leak comes from the GM for the Tampa Improv. I've been under gag (not legal, just spousal) order for a while about this. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be beaten on this.
Dammit.
Greg has a really good point too. Why does Orlando need another restaurant? The only thing Orlando has downtown are restaurants. It's pathetic, and embarrassing.
5:34PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Cory
6. the best media coverage only came when the club closed.... Maybe now the local media will appreciate a company that brings in real talent and celebs.. Look at all the missed interviews.. Bob Saget, Colin Quinn, Tracy Morgan, Tommy Davidson, Louis Anderson, Tommy Chong, Kevin Pollack, Dave Atell, Chris Tucker..., Careers are made in publishing from interviews like these... Where were you Orlando Media??????
7:16PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Improv Employee
7. I've put up a few more things some of you might not already be aware of at the following location. Al, if you have the right to change this to a link, that'd be dope
http://corycollier.com/Orlando-Improv-Closes
12:07AM on Oct 5th 2007 by Cory
8. This is from a few of the employees that worked at the Improv:
Thankyou guys so much for all fo the fine comments that you have for the Improv. Many of us had worked there for years, if not since it opened on Chruch Street 5 years ago. We were a very close group and were really hurt to see the club go the way it did. There was no 'leak' of information because even the employees were not told of its closing until the day AFTEr it was shut down...it was a shock to all of us. There is talk of relocation, but nothing in the near future, and we all know that Orlando isn't quite known for its speedy construction processes.
Thankyou again from a few of us for supporting us as long as you did!
12:57PM on Oct 5th 2007 by Improv Employees
9. And on top of that we're about to lose the Enzian. At least we still have Terror on Church Street.
2:54PM on Oct 5th 2007 by Burnsy
10. What the... losing the enzian?
Anyone know any details there?
1:37PM on Oct 6th 2007 by Alex Rudloff