AUBURN – The mood at the Midnight Blues Club was somber after Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Patrons and employees gathered to discuss the City Council’s vote to table a decision about the liquor license and a live entertainment permit for the main street operation until Aug. 21. It means owner Paul Morency must close his downstairs dance club, the Cellar Door. The liquor license for the club runs out Wednesday.

Kady Alexander, a waitress at the club, said, “I don’t think closing the Cellar Door will do any good. People will find a new place to go and the same problems will arise.”

One customer had a more negative reaction.

“If they want the downtown area of Auburn to die, they made the right decision,” said Andrew, a weekly patron of the club, Monday night after the city council meeting. He didn’t want his last name used.

Jim Martin, another customer at the bar, attended the meeting and said he was quite disturbed by what he heard.

“After hearing some of the council’s comments and recommendations, I’m going to consider doing all of my business in Lewiston,” he said.

The owner of the club, Paul Morency, said he was disappointed by the decision.

“We are very close to an agreement, and I would have rather settled the issue tonight,” Morency said. “Instead, I’m left hanging for another two weeks.”

As for the closing of the Cellar Door, Morency said, “I feel as though a part of me has died.”

Copy the Story Link