2008 Woodie Awards
Launching Pad venue to close
Founder cites insurance, rent, vandalism, theft for closing
Amanda Getchel
The Launching Pad is closing its doors, making it the second business in a week to announce it was leaving the Village.
Alan Maugherman, The Launching Pad founder, said the music venue was closing Nov. 1 after a unanimous decision by the Full Circle Arts Co-op, the group that runs the business.
He said the decision was made after months of discussions.
Maugherman said the business had problems getting insurance coverage and rent was difficult to pay on a monthly basis. Also, people vandalized the venue and stole from it, he said, Finally, the venue had trouble paying its employees to man the shows, Maugherman said.
"We have had a steady drop in volunteers, and this led to the same two people putting in 15 to 35 hours every week for free to keep the place running," he said.
Zita Kramer, property manager of the Village businesses, said she had not heard The Launching Pad was closing and declined to comment further until she could find out more details.
Derick Young, a Ball State University junior human resource and business administration major, said he thought it was sad The Launching Pad was closing because it brought bands to the area.
"I feel like the politics of who gets to rent where sucks," Young said. "The Blue Bottle used to be where T.I.S. is but [because of rent] they had to move. A lot of businesses that should do well here don't because of how rent is down here."
Young said he had been to the music venue once and, although the location was small, he enjoyed listening to bands.
He said it was a shame The Launching Pad was another business leaving the Village.
Mary Ogle, operating manager of the Full Circle Arts Co-op and director of The Launching Pad, said the board should have closed it months ago because of its lack of insurance. She said after it was evident The Launching Pad could not get insurance, the board decided it was time to close.
Ogle said she was not surprised another business was leaving the Village.
Alan Maugherman, The Launching Pad founder, said the music venue was closing Nov. 1 after a unanimous decision by the Full Circle Arts Co-op, the group that runs the business.
He said the decision was made after months of discussions.
Maugherman said the business had problems getting insurance coverage and rent was difficult to pay on a monthly basis. Also, people vandalized the venue and stole from it, he said, Finally, the venue had trouble paying its employees to man the shows, Maugherman said.
"We have had a steady drop in volunteers, and this led to the same two people putting in 15 to 35 hours every week for free to keep the place running," he said.
Zita Kramer, property manager of the Village businesses, said she had not heard The Launching Pad was closing and declined to comment further until she could find out more details.
Derick Young, a Ball State University junior human resource and business administration major, said he thought it was sad The Launching Pad was closing because it brought bands to the area.
"I feel like the politics of who gets to rent where sucks," Young said. "The Blue Bottle used to be where T.I.S. is but [because of rent] they had to move. A lot of businesses that should do well here don't because of how rent is down here."
Young said he had been to the music venue once and, although the location was small, he enjoyed listening to bands.
He said it was a shame The Launching Pad was another business leaving the Village.
Mary Ogle, operating manager of the Full Circle Arts Co-op and director of The Launching Pad, said the board should have closed it months ago because of its lack of insurance. She said after it was evident The Launching Pad could not get insurance, the board decided it was time to close.
Ogle said she was not surprised another business was leaving the Village.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Graham Watson
posted 10/07/08 @ 9:01 AM EST
"Also, people vandalized the venue and stole from it, he said, Finally, the venue had trouble paying its employees to man the shows, Maugherman said."
Strange capitalization aside, we never tried to pay anyone because the venue was run entirely by volunteers. (Continued…)
Greg
posted 10/07/08 @ 12:00 PM EST
I only went to one show at the Launching Pad, but I'll miss it. I loved that there was an all-ages venue so close to campus when everything else is 21+. (Continued…)
Alan
posted 10/07/08 @ 9:35 PM EST
I believe that the only way an all ages venue will survive in the BSU area is if the university would work with us to create an "immersive learning opportunity" where we can have students do one hour independent studies to run sound, learn marketing, do promotion, and get real life experience working in a venue. (Continued…)
Graham Watson
posted 10/08/08 @ 8:50 AM EST
True dat, Alan. I've contacted Joe Trimmer of the Virginia Ball Center to set up a meeting between him and Full Circle. Hopefully he can facilitate us turning our projects like the Launching Pad into "immersive learning opportunities" for students. (Continued…)
Vincent
posted 10/08/08 @ 3:11 PM EST
"Rumors circulated the community that the reason for the shop's closing was increased rent; however, Myles Ogea, owner of the Village property, said the rumors were untrue. (Continued…)
Graham Watson
posted 10/10/08 @ 10:32 AM EST
The way I understand it, a property owner could reduce the rent charged to a not-for-profit organization and take that rent reduction as a tax write-off, but the full rent would ultimately be worth more than the tax incentives. (Continued…)
matt
posted 10/10/08 @ 3:41 PM EST
Where am I going to go see high school emo bands now?
Graham Watson
posted 10/12/08 @ 1:42 PM EST
In your hot, steamy dreams, Matt.
Watchman
posted 11/02/08 @ 4:00 PM EST
The landlord, Myles Ogea is an EVIL man. If you look at the area surround and including The Launching Pad, and add up how many different businesses have left, r have been ruined, you will see that it a central problem. (Continued…)
Graham Watson
posted 11/03/08 @ 12:24 PM EST
I think it goes without saying that "it a central problem".
Again, if people want an all-ages venue like the Launching Pad back in Muncie, join the Full Circle Arts Co-op in its efforts to get its community center off the ground. (Continued…)
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