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From the May 10 – May 16, 2001 issue

Almost Evicted from Paradise

More Trouble For New Club

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Dennis Gibson, former car salesman and owner of Paradise Garage, the new gay dance club now occupying the old ARO.space, is in trouble again. A few weeks back, Gibson had written a bad check to painter Chris Phillips and, Phillips claims, refused to pay him fully for work he completed on the club. ["Paradise Lost?" Paula Gilovich, April 19.] Since that story appeared, others--from graphic designers to DJs--have come forward with similar complaints. Then, on May 2, Gibson's landlord Jon Rosson, manager of Mothership, L.L.C., took Gibson to King County Superior Court for non-payment of rent.

Mothership, the group that used to operate ARO.space, subleased the Pike Street and 10th Avenue club space to Gibson on February 1. According to the complaint filed against Gibson and Paradise Garage, Gibson failed to pay March or April rent, a figure totaling $28,531.30. In early April, Gibson was served with an eviction notice.

According to lawyers on both sides, the parties are now attempting to solve their differences out of court. Gibson isn't currently being evicted, and he has paid partial rent for April. A remainder of $21,781.30 is still under dispute.

Stranger Personals

"I don't believe the club will last much longer," says Jeremy Kranz, a graphic designer who claims he is owed money for work he did for Paradise Garage. With an eviction notice served only days after its opening night, Capitol Hill's newest club is off to a rocky start. Gibson did not return several calls from The Stranger.