Quote:
CBGB's owner refusing to move as lease expires
Saturday, September 3, 2005
New York -- CBGB's owner Hilly Kristal, sitting at his usual perch Thursday inside lower Manhattan's renowned nightclub, offered twin observations: He's got no lease, and no intention of quietly surrendering his club. "It's a fight, a hard fight, and we're going to keep fighting," said the bearded 72-year-old patriarch of the club where the Ramones and Talking Heads found a home. "We think we have a chance of coming out on top."
Kristal spoke just a few hours after the club's lease with the Bowery Residents' Committee expired at midnight Wednesday. Muzzy Rosenblatt, executive director of the non-profit homeless-services agency, decided against renewing the club's lease after a contentious five-year battle over the monthly $19,000 (U.S.) rent. The group houses 250 homeless people above the club. CBGB is its lone commercial tenant.
Rosenblatt, who did not return a call for comment Thursday, had earlier issued a statement urging Kristal to "vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously." But Kristal promised a court battle to keep the club running; shows already are scheduled for the rest of this month. Kristal founded the club in December, 1973, creating a space that gained an international reputation as the birthplace of punk. AP
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Barbara Bush: It's Good Enough for the Poor
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