Did the downtown Minneapolis club known as Mill City Nights ever recover from its disastrous opening night after which every Jane's Addiction customer was given a full refund?
Four years after that infamous opening, Mill City Nights will close effective Nov. 30, according to Joe Litvag senior vice president of AEG Live.
"It's a business decision," he said from his office in St. Louis. "It was not easy to come to. We have a long-term strategy. We like to be profitable."
He didn't attribute the failure of the club, located in the space formerly known as the Christian music club 3 Degrees, to the notorious opening in March 2012. After a night of overcrowding and poor sightlines, the 2,000-person club then known as the Brick shut down, remodeled and reopened four months later as Mill City Nights with a smaller capacity (1,200).
Over the years, MCN has offered an eclectic schedule, presenting everything from metal and hip-hop to pro wrestling and a special event featuring the stars of TV's "Sons of Anarchy."
Among the remaining shows at the club are metal heroes Hatebreed on Oct. 7, pop-punk faves Sum 41 on Oct. 22, violin rockers Yellowcard on Oct. 31 and rising country star Kelsea Ballerini on Nov. 19.
"A venue this size is a challenge in this market," said Litvag.
MCN had to compete with the bigger, more established First Avenue, which holds 1,500 people.
