Mr. Sisters, the gay-friendly bar located on Colonial Drive, has closed its doors.
In an email sent to staff the morning of Nov. 13, owner Don White said: “Effective today, Mr Sisters is now closed for business and we are in the process of creating a new concept for that particular location.”
In the email, White stated that Mr. Sisters would not participate in the Come Out With Pride celebration as planned.
“Due to the legality of the matter, I’ve been advised by counsel not to be in contact with any of the staff members of Mr Sisters,” the email stated, adding that the owners were also advised not to give any prior notice that employees would be let go. The email gave instructions for employees to pick up final paychecks.
Entertainment manager Russell Walker worked at the nightclub for a year.
“No explanation [for the closure] was given,” Walker said.
He said he saw some signs.
“There were some things, like taking the menu in a different direction and getting rid of old stock of liquor, but we were always given an excuse or reason why it was happening,” Walker said. “We’re all sitting here wondering what to do next.”
General manager Scott Benson said they were assured by the owners that business was fine.
“They were just talking this week about how well things were going,” he said. “There were some things that looked funny, like they told us to cut back on spending and ordering, but the owners said things will be fine. They said we’d open up another one in a year.”
Alicia Markstone, show director, said the timing of the closure is unfortunate.
“The only thing I thought was really nasty and ugly is that they did it on gay pride,” Markstone said. “They could have waited till tomorrow morning.”
Markstone, Benson and Walker all emphasized that the staff – aside from the owners – were wonderful to work with.
“We are all in a state of shock the same way [the rest of the staff] are,” Walker said. “We all have bills and families and we are all in shock but very thankful we have worked with these people.”
Since its grand opening in December 2010, the nightclub was no stranger to controversy. Not even six months after Mr. Sisters opened its doors, in May of 2011, working equity partner Brian Humphries was dismissed. Humphries had ushered Mr. Sisters toward its opening and was seen by many as the face of the establishment.
