In Case You Missed it: The Closure of Club Bart

On Wednesday, there was a rumor going around that Club Bart was closing. Club Bart fans hit the longtime bar and restaurant's Facebook page with posts of, "Say it ain't so!"

After a few calls that afternoon, Ferndale Patch confirmed that Club Bart was closing on Sunday, had been sold and would be turned into a "European-style bistro."

On Thursday, Ferndale Patch asked Club Bart fans to share the thoughts, memories, stories of Club Bart through the years. The mainstay opened in 1997, so there should be a lot to share.

That same day, Thursday, we compiled all the posts, comments and stories people shared with Ferndale Patch into one page. Nearly 50 people shared words about Club Bart.

Thursday night was the long running standup open mic night at Club Bart, aptly titled Club Bart Comedy Night. For nearly 10 years, comics got up on stage, killed, bombed or were just ignored. Either way, they got up on stage. Standup comic and Bart's regular Mike Soave shared his experience as a comic at Club Bart and summed up the last comedy night quite nicely. (Look for a blog on Ferndale Patch by Soave in the coming weeks.)

Ferndale Patch caught up with longtime Club Bart bartender Melissa Smith. Smith, a Ferndale resident, also booked the bands at Club Bart. So, odds are if you saw a show there over the last six years, she was responsible. Smith talks with us about the closure and tells us that someone already claimed the Miles Dave poster.

On Friday afternoon, we sent videographer Jessica Gilmore to Club Bart. She interviewed owner Bart Starks about the closure and Bart's time in Ferndale. Also interviewed was 13-year waitress Laura Keillor. She talks about friends, family and what she'll miss. WARNING: Tears at the end of the video.

The last Saturday night Even Exchanged played for the last time. The funk, blue and R&B band has taken Bart's stage for more than 10 years now. Bart's was packed. Ferndale Patch reader Bob Bonnell was gracious enough to share his photos from Club Bart's last Saturday night in Ferndale.

On Sunday, Club Bart was going out in style with a Cheers and Tears bash. They served breakfast until 3 p.m. and live music for the rest of the night. It was the very last day of Club Bart and this is our final tribute.

And that's the end of Club Bart.