Le Place replacement club halts plans to open in New Bedford. Here's what we know.
NEW BEDFORD — After announcing it would be taking over the former Le Place in August, Club 11-13 shocked patiently waiting patrons with the news it will not open after all.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Club 11-13 is not going to open," owner Susan Thomasse wrote on the official Facebook page.
"As disappointing as this is for me, I know what it means to the community and it breaks my heart. I am praying that someone can step in and take over. The opportunity is there. I have been deeply invested in this project emotionally and financially. This would not be happening if it were not out of my control."
Le Place was a popular LGBTQ bar that closed after 41 years and Club 11-13 had plans to pick up where LePlace left off with an LGBTQ-friendly bar.
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Traci Welch, director of events at Le Place said in July that the LGBTQ+ community was heartbroken when they heard the news that the Kenyon Street bar that was a part of New Bedford Pride and a venue for LGBTQ events was sold. Original owners Lucy Langevin, Tami Pinault and Tracy McCree surprised longtime regulars with the announcement they were moving on.
When was the last update?
Since Oct. 1, Club 11-13 had been busy originally renovating the building for a grand opening. The last update, on Oct. 18, thanked the community for their patience as well as commenting they were waiting for "licensing" to plan a specific grand opening date.
The recent post on Facebook was not received well, with several people commenting that they deserve more details. A few people, who said they were physically working on the space, commented saying they were blindsided by the decision including one person who asked when they could pick up their tools.
Other commenters asked if there was anything they could do to help. Trace Richard wrote, "Circle the wagons lets rally collectively let's fundraise whatever it takes I'm in."
On Wednesday afternoon, the post was deleted off the Club 11-13 Facebook page after this article was published. We will continue to keep you updated on any further developments.
Club 11-13 did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com . Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports . Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Club 11-13 will not open in New Bedford LGBTQ bar, Le Place
