Roster changes in the musical line up at the Waterfront Tavern in Holyoke fueled rumors about the establishment that were spreading across the Internet like a celebrity nip slip last week.
Three metal/rock shows slated for December were cancelled at the Waterfront, 920 Main St., and moved to other venues. The bar’s phone number has been disconnected and as of Nov. 19 the Waterfront website has led to a “404 Error” message. Threads on Facebook events and posts by local musicians were questioning the beloved venue’s ability to stay afloat.
Liz Jensen, who’s organizing this weekend’s benefit show, Larrypalooza II, in honor of the late “Dancing Larry” Howes, had originally booked the event at the Waterfront. Howes was an avid supporter of local music who garnered affection for his enthusiastic dancing before he died in August. Money raised will go to Dancing Larry Howes’ family. Jensen didn’t want the rumors about the Waterfront to negatively impact the benefit, so she moved the Saturday show to One Bar and Grill in Northampton.
“I just honestly thought the Facebook rumors were going to hurt attendance,” she told the Advocate.
Waterfront owner Mike Rigali did not reply to calls or emails for comment. Rigali also did not respond to a message left in person at the Waterfront with a bartender.
According to records at City Hall, the Waterfront is facing some obstacles. The establishment owes more than $10,000 in taxes to the city incurred over the past year and a half, which owner Rigali has agreed to pay in installments extended over time, according to city tax collector records.
Ernest Mathieu, health inspector and chief sanitarian for the city, said he’s been working with Rigali since the summer to improve conditions at the bar, and that the business owner has been wholeheartedly cooperative.
“He has made a great effort to comply,” said Mathieu, adding that Rigali also owns The Clover Bar and Franco-American Club, both of Holyoke. “He’s done what I’d think he can afford to do. Bars are becoming a tough business to run.”
Mathieu said he renewed the establishment’s food service permit, which records show was awarded on Aug. 7, under two conditions: that Rigali draft an agreement with the city to pay taxes owed and address unsanitary conditions in the kitchen.
According to city documents, Rigali agreed to pay tax debt in quarterly installments, the last of which is scheduled for June 24, 2016. In regard to the conditions of the kitchen, Mathieu said Rigali decided to close it until he can afford to make repairs. As a result, Mathieu said, the existing food permit applies only to bar service and packaged barsnacks — until the downstairs kitchen is fixed, nothing is to come out of it, he said.
Mathieu said multiple inspections this summer showed violations stemming from the “age of the building,” and standard “wear and tear.” They include raw cement and wood surfaces, worn paint, missing tiles, and areas with poor lighting. Mathieu said there was also equipment in need of cleaning and repair.
“When you have multiple things in need of repair in the kitchen, the cost gets enormous,” Mathieu said.
Despite its woes the Waterfront continues to book shows, host performances, and stay open for regular hours. According to the bar’s Facebook page, the Waterfront hosted a rave on Nov. 12.•
Contact Amanda Drane at adrane@valleyadvocate.com.
