Arts & Entertainment

Rock Club the Gypsy Lounge May Close

A statement put out by owner and booker Mike Concepcion blames the landlord.

Rumors have been swirling for weeks, but Patch has received word from the Gypsy Lounge, the rock club off Rockfield, that it is likely to close soon. Here is owner Michael Concepcion's statement. Patch has contacted Faris Lee Investments for comment and will update when they get back to us.

"Greed and avarice will get you every time.

"Bully national real estate development company Faris Lee Investments, dba Puente Hills Power Center, LLC, who acquired the Lake Forest Center in 2004, is aggressively moving forward with their continuing efforts to further empty and homogenize the once fully occupied, culturally diverse and bustling strip mall, located at the corner of Rockfield and Lake Forest Blvds., by forcibly evicting Orange County icons The Gypsy Lounge and Captain's Cabaret (aka Captain Cream).  Diablo's Nightclub, Texas Pit BBQ, Yoda's World Smoke Shop, and Wahoo's Fish Tacos have all previously been forcibly evicted from the center since the sale of the property to Puente Hills Power Center, LLC.

Find out what's happening in Lake Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Note- We have some very good people trying to help us find a new place to call home. We will be scheduling some benefit and/or farewell shows in the immediate future." 

Patch is contacting the named businesses for comment and will provide more details on the matter soon.

Find out what's happening in Lake Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Update 2:22 p.m.: Sal Hernandez, manager of Captain's Cabaret, says his adult club isn't leaving. He said that he has heard the rumors about the place closing but that the owners have told him it's not true. 

Update 6:08 p.m.: Sam Sadi, former owner of Texas Pit Bar-B-Que, confirmed to us that he felt he had been forced out of the same shopping center as the Gypsy Lounge by Faris Lee. Still waiting to hear back from that company.



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