July 28, 2008
United States Art Authority Closed
Since opening last year, the former plasma center has hosted a wide variety of interesting and action-packed events, from fashion shows and a skateboard art exhibit to sketch comedy revues and assorted parties. Owners John Dorgan and Conrad Bejarano (who are also the folks behind Spiderhouse, Eco Clean and I Luv Video) didn't elaborate on the conflict between the venue and the city, but hinted that an agreement might be reached sometime in the near future that would allow USAA to open again.
"We really thrive on the vibrant culture of Austin, and our efforts have always been to participate and promote this scene in our own small way," says Dorgan. "That's our great strength, and that's why we're hopeful that we'll be able to work with the city to reopen the Art Authority in the coming months."
With the space effectively closed as of this morning, most USAA events have been moved to Spiderhouse or other venues around town.
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Word on the street is that the United States Art Authority never had a liquor license. Spiderhouse was essentially running an illegal bar out of USAA.
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That's what I hoid.
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That doesn't surprise me. Those two guys are greedy A-holes, and figured they could turn an extra buck with a cash bar in their "art gallery."
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They had all required permits, permission from TABC, and current health, safety, and fire inspections. The problem was with zoning; the space was previously a plasma center. Hopefully everything will be resolved soon and they can re-open.
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You guys (Austinist) or the Chronicle need to do some investigating into the goings-ons at Spider House Lately.
This closing is part of a recent shake-up and breakdown of their management and operations, including the mass firing/quitting of a large part of the staff, under reportedly bitter circumstances.
For an institution that's such a strong part of the Austin scene, Spider House/I Luv Video should be taking their position as a cultural institution and large-scale employer a little more seriously.
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I'm actually very glad to hear of a shakeup at the Spider House. I used to go there a lot, but after they got their liquor license, the evening staff really forgot they were working at a coffee shop. They wanted so bad to be running a bar. They'd turn the stereo up so loud that it was impossible to carry on a conversation among friends. The previously cool atmosphere was also frequently punctuated by the manager shouting jokes over the PA system and all sorts of carrying on.
I stopped going there some months ago, but hearing of the shakeup, I'll stop by sometime this week to see if the coffee shop atmosphere has returned.
Seth
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Spiderhouse has embittering shakeups every few years. I think the owners relapse on their crack addiction or maybe they're manic depressive, but this shit comes in pretty consistant cycles.
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I heard there were multiple code violations concerning two different enforcement agencies. And Seth, I wouldn't hold out much hope of it returning to the old coffee shop atmosphere. Essentially they ARE running a bar at this point, and liquor makes them (both the wait staff and the place as a whole) a lot more money than coffee does, so that's not likely to change--especially if USAA's events are being relocated there.
There's always been a high turnover rate among their employees, but crasstopher is correct in saying what went down this time is pretty unheard of.
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I can't say I'll miss the horrible sound in that concrete box.
Or the interminable wait for a beer.
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And, you can get MEAT there. What is Austin coming to??!
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Spiderhouse has a delicious veggie frito pie, but I tried to interview a couple of filmmakers there once on a tuesday and it was impossible to hear anything we said on the tape playback. Boo. Turn down the tunes, man.
I thought that the USAA always had interesting events. Too bad they didn't have their papers.
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yeah i heard from an ex spiderhouse employee that it was because they were running as a bar without a liquor license... anyway i hope so, conrad is an asshole who deserves all the trouble he gets!
i also thought it was pretty shitty to ban all of the people that quit/were fired.
@leggyblonde: MICROWAVE burgers no less!