Coronavirus Pandemic Toll Too Much For Beverly Music Venue

BEVERLY, MA — There was a brief bolt of optimism that emerged out of popular Beverly music venue 9 Wallis in May when Gov. Charlie Baker announced that in just 12 days all state coronavirus-related business restrictions would be lifted.

"Good news today from the state," Peter Van Ness alerted fans on May 17. "Waiting on confirmation from the City of Beverly that we will be able to open 9 Wallis at full capacity with no restrictions after May 29.

"Stay tuned and watch your email for announcements from us ..."

But more than a month went by without an announcement from the venue that hosted Grammy-winning rock and blues shows for three years from its opening in 2017 until it was forced to close — along with all other non-essential businesses — on March 17, 2020.

As a "Phase 4" business that would not be allowed to open until the state reached the final "next normal" stage of reopening, May 29 had been the day owners had anticipated for more than a year.

"We know the last 15 months have been extraordinarily difficult for you," the family said. "They have been difficult for us too and we are tremendously grateful for the kind words and support we've received from artists and fans during this calamity."

But when it came to the actually reopening, the 15 months on the shelf proved too large a hill to climb for a family whose attempts to draw revenue from drive-in events in Manchester were shut down last summer because of capacity concerns nine shows into a 21-show schedule.

"For the past year, we have been scrambling to be ready to reopen 9 Wallis when the time comes," the family posted on its website and social media on Tuesday. "Unfortunately, too many factors have conspired to make reopening impossible.

"With no revenue from 9 Wallis for 15 months and a substantial loss from having our drive-in shows shut down, we are no longer in a position to continue pouring our own money into the venue."

For most businesses shut down for more than a year, reopening takes a lot more than just flicking on the lights and buying a few cases of beer. Most nightclubs and traditional bars that could not reopen without a food service last summer, shut off utilities, sold back all inventory and let entertainment and insurance licenses lapse as a way to save money while shuttered.

Without substantial loans or grant money, restoring all that inventory and liability prior to seeing the first dollar walk through the door has often been prohibitive.

"Given considerable re-opening expenses, combined with the fact that our 9 Wallis landlord refuses to forgive any rent, we simply do not have the money to reopen," the family said. "More importantly, we no longer have enough assets to weather the enormous risks inherent in operating a music venue."

The Van Ness family said they still hope to stay involved in the music on the North Shore through working with nearby venues to book artists that would have typically played 9 Wallis.

"Wherever we land, we will do our best to honor the tickets and gift certificates you have and we look forward to the day when we can once again welcome you to a gimmeLIVE show!" the family said.

"Thank you for being a true supporter of live music."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)