An online realty listing has revealed that London bar and live music venue Call the Office is up for lease in Ontario.
The ad for the bar, located on the northwest corner of York and Clarence streets, notes that the owner is retiring and is "offering a full turn-key operation for lease to the right individual." It adds that the owner will stay on for a short period of time to offer training.
No reason has been given for the owner's retirement. The ad also states that the property is also for lease for redevelopment.
In a Facebook post, Call the Office co-owner Tony Lima wrote that the venue's "other shareholders, and the guy who holds our mortgage privately, feel the need to test the markets and see what options are available to them."
Lima added, "It doesn't mean anything right now for Call The Office (or me) and we are booked well into the fall at this point. I've been getting messages all weekend from people all over the world, and that's pretty touching. Thank you for that."
You can see his full post below.
In the wake of the announcement, Lima has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to give "a little TLC to this historic building," citing rough conditions over the past two winters taking their toll on the structure.
The campaign page recalls recent repairs that include "having to put a new roof on (and then seeing much of it blow off in 60 mph winds) furnace issues, bursting pipes during two of the coldest winters we can remember, exploding water heaters and a myriad of other small things that naturally have come at the least convenient times."
The page reads, "If you are in a position to make a donation, we'd be grateful for your help. Of course, we'd be just as happy to see you stop by for a drink, some pinball, and to catch your favorite live band."
As of press time, the campaign has raised just over $3,530 of its $10,000 goal.
Call the Office has been a fixture of London's live music scene since 1983. The venue has hosted the likes of Radiohead, Green Day, Blink-182, the Tragically Hip, Melvins, Teenage Head, the Sadies, PUP, Jeff Rosenstock and many more.
The ad for the bar, located on the northwest corner of York and Clarence streets, notes that the owner is retiring and is "offering a full turn-key operation for lease to the right individual." It adds that the owner will stay on for a short period of time to offer training.
No reason has been given for the owner's retirement. The ad also states that the property is also for lease for redevelopment.
In a Facebook post, Call the Office co-owner Tony Lima wrote that the venue's "other shareholders, and the guy who holds our mortgage privately, feel the need to test the markets and see what options are available to them."
Lima added, "It doesn't mean anything right now for Call The Office (or me) and we are booked well into the fall at this point. I've been getting messages all weekend from people all over the world, and that's pretty touching. Thank you for that."
You can see his full post below.
In the wake of the announcement, Lima has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to give "a little TLC to this historic building," citing rough conditions over the past two winters taking their toll on the structure.
The campaign page recalls recent repairs that include "having to put a new roof on (and then seeing much of it blow off in 60 mph winds) furnace issues, bursting pipes during two of the coldest winters we can remember, exploding water heaters and a myriad of other small things that naturally have come at the least convenient times."
The page reads, "If you are in a position to make a donation, we'd be grateful for your help. Of course, we'd be just as happy to see you stop by for a drink, some pinball, and to catch your favorite live band."
As of press time, the campaign has raised just over $3,530 of its $10,000 goal.
Call the Office has been a fixture of London's live music scene since 1983. The venue has hosted the likes of Radiohead, Green Day, Blink-182, the Tragically Hip, Melvins, Teenage Head, the Sadies, PUP, Jeff Rosenstock and many more.
