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Owners ‘saddened’ by closing of iconic Hamilton music venue This Ain’t Hollywood

After 11 years, Hamilton music club This Ain't Hollywood will close in 2020. Lisa Polewski / Global News

The building that houses iconic Hamilton, Ont., music venue This Ain’t Hollywood has been sold, according to its owners.

The sale means the end of the club, which regularly hosted live music events five nights a week for more than a decade.

“While the industry and infrastructure is changing, we felt that it was a proper time for our departure. The COVID-19 pandemic also brought a lot of uncertainties for the near future,” owners said in an Instagram post on Sunday.

“While we are saddened by the end of this era, we look upon the last 11 years as a truly special chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious musical story.”

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Named after an album from Hamilton punk rock band The Forgotten Rebels, the club opened in 2009. After more than nine years of hosting music events, owners put the building up for sale in late 2018 for just over $2 million.

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Monster Truck guitarist Jeremy Widerman, who says the band got their start at This Ain’t Hollywood, heard about the venue going on sale in 2018 and hoped it wouldn’t happen.

“I’m pretty sad and upset to find out that it finally did go,” Widerman told Global News, “Not only because This Ain’t Hollywood was a critical venue in our upbringing through the Hamilton music scene but also just kind of as a sign of the times of venues of that size becoming endangered.”

In the social media post, the owners thanked staff and patrons while admitting their “disappointment” with the closure.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A Message from This Ain’t Hollywood 2020-05-03 #hamont After 11 years of owning the property on James and Murray Avenue, we would like to inform all of you that we have sold the building. As many of you know, the property has been on the market for some time so we knew this day might come. It saddens us to inform you that this will also mark the end of This Ain’t Hollywood. Over the last 11 years, we have been very fortunate to host thousands of shows, as well as being a strong foundation for our music community. Operating a live music venue tosses out a lot of challenges and risks. While the industry and infrastructure is changing, we felt that it was a proper time for our departure. The Covid-19 Pandemic, also brought a lot of uncertainties for the near future. Our goal on day one was to open a neighbourhood friendly bar offering Hamilton a variety of music, and art. While we are saddened by the end of this era, we look upon the last 11 years as a truly special chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious musical story. We want to take a moment to say thank you to our staff (present and past) who have represented us so well. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to exist as long as we have. A committed team who believed in us and uniquely sprinkled their magic to make this venue a one of a kind spot. We also want to thank you to all of you for your tremendous support over the past 11 years. You have added so much energy and heart to This Ain’t Hollywood. Your enthusiasm definitely inspired us along the way. While we are saddened by this announcement, we look at the memories with lots of pride, and happiness. The closing date for the sale of the building is August 4th. At this point, we have not determined a last date for the venue but we will definitely keep you informed. Please stay tuned to our social media pages for more updates on some unforgettable farewell shows. There will never be another This Ain’t Hollywood. Lou, Glen and Jodie

A post shared by This Ain’t Hollywood (@this_aint_hollywood) on

“While we are saddened by this announcement, we look at the memories with lots of pride and happiness.”

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No final date has been set for the closure of the club.

The building sale will close on Aug. 4.

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