LaGrange, a rock club on Elm Street in Deep Ellum, closed Thursday morning. Stephanie Schumacher owned LaGrange with her husband, Rob.
"Yes, it's true. After a crazy three-year run, I regretfully announce that we are closing the Deep Ellum location of LaGrange," she says. "It will be nice to sleep at night without waking up in a cold sweat wondering how I am going to pay for something."
Schumacher posted this message to the club's Facebook page:
It's a sad day! After a long three-year journey, we are closing our Deep Ellum doors. We can't thank everyone enough for your support over the last few years. To our wonderful staff, the amazing musicians who came through the door, and all the fans, we thank you! All shows are being relocated if possible to our favorite venues, so please be on the lookout for updates on the page to find out where to see all your favorite bands. Many thanks to Kim Finch and the Doublewide for hosting our shows last night and this evening.
LaGrange hosted shows by bands such as The Vibrators, Deathray Davies, The Stitches, Koffin Kats, Black Habits and Pink Smoke. If you'd watched the club's Facebook page, you'd have noticed a pattern the past few days in which its events were moved to neighboring clubs like Doublewide and the Prophet Bar.
"Stephanie and Rob brought us a great music venue in Dallas. LaGrange will be sorely missed!" commented club regular Leland de la Garza.
LaGrange was part of a string of venues on Elm Street, each with its own niche, from the venerable Club Dada to the beer-centric Anvil Pub. LaGrange was also one of the clubs in Deep Ellum that still hosted live music, which has seen a huge drop-off in popularity in the past few years. Is live music a tough bet?
"I feel like I clearly do not know the answer to that," Stephanie says. "I wish I knew what the right formula is. But like with all things, it's a gamble. Curtain Club is still alive and well; don't forget Trees and The Boiler Room and Reno's. Reno's and July Alley have been staples down there forever without missing a beat."
The Schumachers will focus their efforts on their snow cone stand — dubbed LaGrange Boozy Snow Cone Stand — that they opened this summer in the West Dallas Trailer Park at 400 W. Commerce St., near the Foundry. They closed it in October because it's hard to sell snow cones in the winter, but Stephanie said they might host a New Year's Eve party and would definitely reopen in the spring.
Cowboys fans were out in full force.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Tailgating is all about the food.Photo by Ashley Gongora
An array of beverages ensured guests had fun all night.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Buffalo shrimp and blue cheese grits from McRae's American Bistro & Cocktails won the best dish of the night.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The silent auction inspired competitive bidding.Photo by Ashley Gongora