It appears that Phil Lesh‘s Terrapin Crossroads is headed for closure at the end of the month. As first reported by the Marin Independent Journal, the Grateful Dead bassist has not sought an extension for the lease for the San Rafael, CA restaurant/concert venue, set to expire at the end of November. Additionally, there are currently no concerts scheduled for the venue.
As noted by JamBase, Terrapin Crossroads has only hosted outdoor concerts and stopped restaurant service since the pandemic began. Stu Allen & The Mars Hotel played the last concert at the venue on October 31st on the Backyard Stage. Lesh and his wife Jill have reportedly not secured an extension on their lease, with the Independent Journal reporting that a Jeep dealership could be taking over the space.
The news is not all bad for fans of Terrapin Crossroads, as it has been reported that the organization has shown interest in extending its lease on Beach Park from the city of San Rafael. Beach Park adjoins the Terrapin Crossroads property and has been the site of many outdoor concerts. Additionally, the Leshes have reportedly invested over $200,000 in Beach Park.
“What they have shared with us is that they would love to continue in partnership with the city on Beach Park, and we’d love for Terrapin to renew their contract with us,” San Rafael director of library & recreation Susan Andrade-Wax told the Journal. “It’s been a win-win in our opinion. We’ve been crossing our fingers for months now, hoping something happens on their end with the restaurant. But it hasn’t appeared that way so far. All we can do at this point is hope for a miracle.”
Given the pandemic’s effect on restaurants and venues, it is not surprising that Lesh, 81, may opt to relinquish the property as COVID-19 remains a lingering threat. Though no official word has come down from Lesh or venue management, ominous posts from those in Stu Allen & The Mars Hotel point to the immediate closure of the venue, which opened in 2012.
“It was a great (and emotional) honor to play what seemingly was the last show at Terrapin Crossroads Sunday with Stu Allen and Mars Hotel,” Ezra Lipp (ALO/Stu Allen & The Mars Hotel) wrote on Instagram. “That place and the community that surrounded it has held more significance and meaning and brought more gifts to me and others than I can do justice trying to encapsulate in a single social media post. What a long strange trip it’s certainly been. I’m just grateful to have been on the journey and to have one last blow out with so many good friends. Nothing left to do but smile. Can’t wait to see what amazing things we all await to get into next!”
Dan Lebowitz (ALO), another Terrapin Crossroads regular, also posted what amounted to a eulogy for the venue alongside a photo of an I love TXR button.
“So much love for this place and the community that it has not only nurtured, but CREATED!,” Lebowitz wrote. “I really can’t overstate the importance that this place has played in my and so many other musicians’ lives. Hard to comprehend the quantity of epic moments that I’ve had on these three stages (Grate Room, Bar, and Beachpark) over the past decade. Moments of camaraderie, moments of fire, moments of beauty, moments of discovery, and so many moments of inspiration moving me brightly.”
This is a developing story.
[H/T JamBase]