This browser does not support the Video element.
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - A music venue entrenched in the Chicago music scene for more than 20 years will have to close its doors.
The owners of Double Door in Wicker Park have been ordered to vacate the building on Damen near Milwaukee.
The owners plan to fight the eviction, and those who have been going to concerts at the Double Door say losing this venue would be a shame.
But a judge's order on Thursday has set the clock ticking and according to an attorney for the landlord, it's just a matter of time before the Double Door closes for the last time.
The doors opened Thursday for a series of concerts by local artists who took the stage just a short time ago. But as people learned that the Double Door could be closing, they reacted with great sadness.
“I think it's awful, I've seen so many amazing shows here, I've made friends here, I've seen a lot of shows, especially from diverse acts. 19 and it's just been a great place for community,” said concert-goer Javier Payano.
The Rolling Stone played a no-notice, last minute concert at the Double Door in 1997, getting paid $240 after expenses. And through the years, this venue has hosted countless well know acts.
But the landlord says that's all about to end, because the Double Door owners did not renew their lease in time last year.
“So it's now determined that the lease is terminated and the tenant doesn't have a right to stay in the property, the only question now remains how long will it take for the tenant to vacate the property 42 so that will be decided at the August 4th hearing,” said Strauss family attorney William Dorsey.
But the owners say not so fast. They plan to use every legal remedy they can to remain in Wicker Park for a long time.
Without a lease, they could resort to plan B.
“Well the plan is to either work something out with the landlord to either purchase the building, we would like to purchase the building there have been some discussion in that. If not I will assure you that Double Door is going to stay in Chicago,” said Double Doors president Sean Mulroney.
But if the last time does come in the next few months, Double Door lovers say it would be a huge blow to this community.
“I think it's going to really change the fabric of the community a great deal because it takes the whole Chicago neighborhood element out of here,” said hip-hop artist Chris Cap.
The two sides go back to court August 4th. At that time, the judge wants to determine when the Double Door doors will close.
There are events booked through March of next year. The owner says people can count on those concerts going on, but the landlord's attorney told FOX 32 he believes the music will end sometime early this fall.