Wellmont Plans Underway, Fall '08 Opening

I read this in the NY Times today, on page 2 of The Arts.
Sounds exciting!

what about state of the art parking? 2,000 people and no liquor license?

I'm excited too!! It's one thing to refurbish an existing venue and another to, actually, book notable acts. Based on the expertise noted above, I have confidence The (new) Wellmont will be a place I will visit!!

On a nice warm evening, many people can walk to this new venue.

Perhaps an enterprising cab company can arrange to have a portion of the block dedicated to waiting caps to spirit people a couple of miles to their homes and then come back to get the next fare.

I'd like to see "Hootie and the Blowfish" inaugurate their comeback tour at this venue.

Wow, sounds kind of exciting. I thought I heard a rumor that they had purchased a liquor license?

Those kvetching about parking: can't you be pleased that there will be a destination concert spot only a walk, bike ride, or short taxi ride from home (if in fact the parking is not perfect)?

The liquor license is not a rumor. It's the license from the Marboro Inn and was purchased as a separate deal from Plofker. It was also a record price for Mtc. at 750K.

1) They have the liquor license from the Marlboro.

2) There is a parking lot across the street from the current theater entrance and the Crescent deck is less than 10 minutes away by foot. Anyone who says that is too far must not go into Manhattan for concerts all that much.

Now if only we can get Plofker to honor his obligations RE: Parking for his new condo/hotel complex, we'd have even more parking at hand.

We are talking a minimum of 1,000 spaces are needed. People in this town b*tch if they have to walk one block to get to Church Street.

Be prepared for some serious restaurant owner backlash when this place opens.

Crescent deck houses 430 spots. Crescent deck is a bit of a walk to the Wellmont. Concert goers will not be happy. Perhaps lack of parking is what spelled the demise of the Wellmont as a movie theatre.

This town will never learn.

"serious restaurant owner backlash when this place opens"

Hey sharpie, I'm sure the restaurant owners will greatly resent an additional 1,500 patrons in the area on concert nights. Lack of front door parking has not hurt any of the vibrant downtown's in New Jersey and elsewhere. If people value being here enough they will walk from an available spot or pay enough to make valet parking sensible.

I recall only somewhat limited nearby on-street parking during the heyday of the Capitol. And that was in crime-ridden Passaic. So this complaint will not wash.

What will really prove crucial is a) the booking policy and b) the willingness of folks (including vociferous posters here) to support those bookings. The existence of a liquor license, however, may pose a problem of sorts, since one can't imagine the Montclair PD really looking forward to that aspect of the new theater. Perhaps a kind of membership-only bar, which can generate revenue simpply by the swle of memberships at a modest annual cost?

Negative comment. Negative comment. Snarky Comment. Negative comment.

-Baristanet Regular

YESSSSSSS! It's about time this town, which boasts so much of musicians etc., has a place to really prove it!

Cathar: I continue to love you and your reminiscence! I pray, one day you and I'll find a show (@ The Wellmont) in common...in which case, I'll buy you a drink!...with a grin!!!!

Incidentally, my taste ranges (heavily) from The United Palace Theatre: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000404897C57412?artistid=768159&majorcatid=10001

To - Terminal 5: http://www.terminal5nyc.com/calendar/show/1335/

AND I *wish* my UBB skills were better!!

2000 seats, surrounded, makes the likes of Dwight Yoakam and Dion feasible for Montclair. So yes, we may meet at the Wellmont someday.

Just don't look for me if Richie Havens or some other lefty folkie washout is playing!

And if you're at all reverent about doo-wop, the very nice "Ronnie I," who founded UGHA (the United in Group Harmony Association) and helped keep this music alive in this area (he also ran Clifton Music, helped with "Lead East," etc.) recently passed on to that great streetcorner in the sky. Where I'm sure he's singing harmony with people like Tony Williams, Clyde McPhatter and Rudy Moore. Ronnie is much worthy of our prayers.

Lord. please don't let these posters' views represent the standard of artistic excellence in this town.

Perhaps they'll even book acts from this century.

I'm sure the people who live in the near by apartments and houses are going to love the additional cars , people and NOISE that these concerts will bring. Can you say "There go the property values!"

I sure hope this doesn't attract
hippie wanderers like cathar to the neighborhood.

Walleroo, doo-wop lore has it that "In The Still Of The Night" by the Five Satins is ALWAYS being sung somewhere. Perhaps right now by that porch under which you claim to dwell.

Jerseygurl, for you I can only wish night after night of, say, the talentless caterwauling of of the likes of Green Day or The Bravery, with hopes that their appearances in Baristaville would of course drive down the value of your Upper Montclair mansion and your Nantucket compound alike and drive you to a hearing aid in the process. You are, in other words, much welcome to acts "from this century" as you put it, including your friend from those one-hit wonders known as The Cyrkle. May your yacht acquire marine borers, as well.

I was thinking more along the lines of people who are still alive like Amy Winehouse with the Dap Kings ( you get cross generational there) or Yael Naim. But since you mention it, some of the older stuff like Green Day would be fun too.