JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Plush Entertainment Complex has closed its doors after a court-ordered agreement, the owners and landlords confirmed Thursday morning.
The club's last night for business was Saturday.
The complex, located in the Town and Country Shopping Center on University Boulevard North, was comprised of three nightclubs: Plush, Leopard Lounge and Waltz. The venues were operated by 845 North Inc., which brought several live music acts to the complex.
"Everything ended on an amicable level, with agreeable terms, and everyone lived up to them," said Seth Rothstein, attorney for the landlords who own Town and Country Shopping Center.
The landlords are looking at other options for new tenants, Rothstein said, but they would not lease the space to another nightclub.
The agreement happened in the circuit court after a judge ordered it on Jan. 14, public records show. It asked for 845 North to no longer operate on the property after May 1.
Channel 4 first reported the possibility of Plush shutting down in 2013, when the landlord filed a complaint against the entertainment complex.
Rothstein said the deal had been in the works since 2013. Town and Country had initially filed an eviction notice, claiming that the Plush complex didn't have enough insurance to operate. Rothstein said the original lease lasted until 2018.
One of the documents attached in last year's complaints was from the insurance company, and it said because of recent violence, it was likely no one would provide the insurance needed to keep the business in operation. Most recently, three people were shot there in September 2013.
"They haven't been bad tenants. There has never been a time when they didn't pay their rent. They've been tenants since at least 2001, so they've had a fair history of doing what they're supposed to do and paying their rent," said Rothstein.
Tom Fisher, one of the owners of the company, issued this statement Thursday:
"We've had a great run of 14 years, but it is time for both parties to move on. We've been an integral part of many memories from loyal patrons throughout our stay and we thank all you for your support. We graciously vacate the Plush Entertainment Complex while maintaining the highest regard for the Town and Country Shopping Center, LRS, and JSO. We appreciate everything they have done for us."