Susan Cram
Denver, CO (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
Gimme Shelter
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Startup
Location:
Denver
Industry:
Hospitality
Year Founded:
2011
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Business Stage:
Creation/Idea
Entity Type:
Not Incorporated
Description:
A 150-250 capacity live music venue/club with attached lodging for bands, similar to old juke joint concept. Denver has nothing like this and as a booking agent, I am aware that the price of gas and lack of lodging hinders many bands from being on the road as much as they used to be and need to be to grow their fan base. After discussing this with many musicians, I would be able to offer a lower guarantee to them plus percent of the door (cover charge) by including lodging. My thought is that a community/living room plus 4-6 rooms would be enough to satisfy this need. Because of the cost of real estate in Denver, a multi-story building is preferred and if large enough and zoned properly, I could possibly live in the same facility. Not every bedroom would have to have its own private bathroom
Location is of utmost importance. The Colfax Ave corridor is booming and has many such buildings/existing clubs and there are large music venues that the business could feed off of. I could offer the opening bands a place to grab some more exposure and/or make some money on the road (opening bands aren't paid enough to pay their expenses usually). The primary band and opening bands could simply relax and/or briefly jam with the hired band after a show. I will advertise the club as a musician's haven so will contact promoters, agents and bands directly, welcoming them to hang out prior to and following the show. Celebrity bartenders is fun, too.
I am very active in animal welfare in Denver and would offer a discount card to all animal welfare and/or veterinary clinic/shelter employees as they are so underpaid and will host fundraisers, "Dog Day Afternoons" for dogs and their owners (requires city approval)and other events to help promote the club and build a loyal following.
I have spent 30 years attending live shows and have very specific ideas about the design requirements - warm woods and deep colors, high top tables, stage/lighting and sound, a drum set for drummers who want to jam with a band (I personally know this will bring in more musicians because no drummer is going to haul his drum set around and take the time to set it up and tear it down just to jam). Part of the band's contract will be to bring a representative item from their home base, memorabilia or signed pictures/posters for the walls.
The club may not be open 7 nights a week, most likely 4 but with the option to open other nights if the right band is available. It will open in time for happy hour and have a limited, easy but GOOD menu available till closing. This is important as most kitchens close by 11 or 12 and people get hungry late at night and eating will prevent some drinking issues.
Genre will be defined by the "Gimme Shelter" club name - blues/rock. Cajun, New Orleans, southern rock, ecletic rock and blues. I could possibly offer/rent the rooms to patrons who don't want to drive after drinking, as well, especially if the band is local and doesn't need lodging.
Hosting birthday parties, company parties, fundraisers or other events during the day or off nights will bring in more revenue and clientele.
I do have a successful multi-club owner who is mentoring me and has offered me a job at one of his current clubs to learn every aspect of the business as it has been years since I've worked in this environment other than as a talent buyer.
Another idea I had was to purchase a bed and breakfast, turning the main floor into the venue. This type of business/structure is much harder to find, though.
I would much prefer to purchase a building rather than lease as there are no guarantees with a lease and don't want to invest a lot in remodeling/decorating to lose the lease.
I've been thinking about this concept for YEARS. There is only one venue I am aware of that offers attached lodging and that is in Boulder and the venue itself is awful and has a 10:00 curfew because it is part of a hotel. Mine would be unique and I could access software programs such as Celebrity Access to make the venue known and also see exactly who is touring and where. If they don't have a stop in Denver, this type of venue may convince them to make a stop here, while in the area anyway, or to add another night to a Denver stop.