Business What A Strange Idea
posted by on December 17 at 14:05 PM
From RK in the comments of yesterday’s Croc post:
There are already rumors of a co-op effort to buy it and keep it running. We’ll see if it happens, but if it does, count me in for 50-100K (yeah exactly, money talks, bullshit walks).
I’ve heard these rumors, too. The idea is to make the Crocodile the Green Bay Packers of music venues, a venue owned by the fans.
It’s probably easier for football because football has rules.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the city of Green Bay, not a co-op of fans, that bought the packers? If so, the obvious rejoinder would be that the city of Seattle already bought a music venue—the Vera Project.
Green Bay is owned by a cooperative of fans. They have 11,000 stockholders!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers
Dang it, I forgot a zero. Please make tha 110,000 fans!
Oh, wow. I had no idea. That may be the coolest thing in football. I can't see it happening for a venue/club, though.
If there really is a sincere effort to do this, I can put 5 grand on the table. I can be emailed at godsactionfigure@gmail.com
I hope that these rumors turn out to be true. I've been starting / spreading them as much as possible.
for what it's worth:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers#Public_company
I'm not sure if it would work either. The only thing the 110,000 shareholders of the Packers care about is winning. Plus, it's all Green Bay has. Hell, it's their whole fucking identity.
If you had a large group of people all owning a club, there would probably be plenty of debate over many issues like bands, food menu, policies, prices, etc. Plus, that part of town ain't exactly renting for cheap and while the Croc sits closed, other venues -- yes, there are still other places to play in this city -- will be picking up the slack.
If the Blue Moon Tavern is the alternative to playing at the Crocodile - I'm leaving this town.
Fucking buy a sound system and maybe ONE stage light if you want bands to play your CLUB! They SELL liquor for you!!!
There are several alternatives to the Crocodile. The Stranger's club listings can point you in the right direction.
The Blue Moon rules!
Before we jump in with NFL-type ownership ideas: can anyone verify if 1) the business of the Croc is even officially for sale or if 2) the lease on the property is available?
I heard it's been a month-to-month lease there. For all we know 1) the property has been sold or 2) the Croc as a business has been sold.
Making all these fun ideas rather moot.
#11: Update coming soon. Quick answers to the second phrasings in your comment: 1) No. 2) Not yet. But it will be for sale.
Someone at Three Imaginary Girls posted a rumor that Jack Endino is buying it. Probably a rumor (?) but that would be amazing.
This isn't a fully-thought-out idea but...
If non-profits exist that rais millions of dollars for symphonic music, folk music, any music but rock music, why can't we have a rock nonprofit.
I mean, we have VERA... what an interesting test of the system to found a nonprofit for the preservation of the Seattle rock tradition?
Maybe not using the Crocodile as a test subject, but if you DID have cooperative ownership, if it was under the nonprofit model, at least you would have a mission and bylaws to keep everyone on track...Maybe rifle through the KEXP mission for clues...
We're moving through the five stages of grief quickly. Denial, anger, and now bargaining. Up next? Depression.
The Crocodile is for sale for $495k and there is a new 10 year lease. http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetail.aspx?GroupID=55809452&ListingID=31232536&Sort=0
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