Red Star closing it's doors for the time being:

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Old news,mon

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Dear Red Star Patrons and Friends,

There are a lot of rumors flying around, so I wanted to put something down in writing to clear things up.

Wednesday, September 19th will be the last night that Red Star will be open under my ownership. It has been a great 12+ years. I have made some wonderful friends and forged some incredible (if sometimes hazy) memories. But, it is time for me to move on.

This is prompted by a number of factors. For myself, I feel like my path in life has shifted direction and Red Star, no matter how much I may love it and how much of my sense of self is wrapped up in it, is down a proverbially different road. There are a number of other considerations that have moved this probably inevitable process forward, but rather than cloud the issue with a lot of insignificant detail, I’ll just say that the biggest outside factor is that someone has made an offer to buy the building.

Where it goes from here is not clear. The possibility that Red Star will re-open at some point in the future under different ownership is very real. I would like nothing more than for Red Star to continue as one of the foundation stones in Baton Rouge’s revitalized downtown with much of its current character intact, but the eventual outcome is largely out of my hands and the timeline for such a possibility is unknown.

Red Star has been the source of some of my happiest and proudest moments and it has comforted me in some of my lowest times. I have you all to thank for that. Jeff Kaufman, in particular, has been a stellar friend, manager, confidant and fixer of messes I had a hand in creating. Much of the credit for how Red Star has continued on through changing times belongs to him. It’s a cliché to simply say that all good things must end (and I really hope that they don’t end), but I know that my time at Red Star is rapidly drawing to a close.

In closing, I want to also thank my incredible staff, my tirelessly patient and supportive brother and partner, Daniel and the amazing patrons that have kept us in business for over a decade. You are all a wonderful group of people and my life is richer for having had the privilege of knowing each of you. I am proud to have hosted some of my favorite bands within the brick walls of Red Star. I have met people at Red Star who have left a permanent and priceless mark on my life that I will never forget and it has been the warm center of so many friendships, collaborations and shared joys that they almost seem beyond number. For over a decade, Red Star has been one of the defining elements in my life and for all of it, I am profoundly grateful. Being a part of Red Star has been an always-surprising adventure for which I will be forever thankful and forever unable to fully repay.

Very Gratefully,

Frank McMains

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