2009.04.10
Fire marshal shuts down Southside 220
Southside 220, which for a few short months was a mecca for young people seeking a fix of heavy rock music, is closed at least temporarily, according to co-owner John Flint.
Black Label Tattoos, which is upstairs at the building on 220 South, in Roanoke County, remains open. But the all-ages rock venue that Black Label was using as a highly entertaining marketing tool for the skin-and-ink business, is not going to reopen until July, Flint said on Friday afternoon.
According to Flint, the Roanoke County fire marshal's office told him and other co-owners that they would have to install different lighting in the basement space and cover exposed water pipes before they can reopen.
Roanoke County fire marshal Gary Huffman did not return a message on Friday seeking comment.
well hurry up and re-open!! i've got shows i need to play
Comment by Donnie — April 22, 2009 @ 10:19 am
The musician and eternal kid in me thinks sarcastically - "Hmmm.....yeah, underagers having fun and staying out of trouble via loud and heavy bands playing. Let's shut that place down for a minor infraction that probably dozens of other local businesses have and aren't faulted for!"
The grownup in me says the fire marshall was just doing his job and keeping something potentially harmful from happening that could possibly even save lives.
Here's to hoping that is true and that every club and place of business in the area is inspected as thoroughly for lighting and exposed water pipe issues,among other things.
Comment by Dylan — April 22, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
I think I have answers for you, Dylan, but I'll have to wait to give them up till my next column.
Comment by Tad Dickens — April 22, 2009 @ 3:26 pm