Exotic Island art studio closed - General Tiki

J jpmartdog Tiki Socialite Amesbury, Mass Joined: Mar 27, 2005 Posts: 650	J jpmartdog Posted posted on Mon, Jan 17, 2011 3:11 PM Aloha all, not from the shores of the Island. I am sorry to report that exotic Island is indeed no more. After two years of hard work.. and thousands of dollars.. the Island was eliminated in 4 days. Flash back four weeks... The Island was decorated in all its retro holiday glo - with lights in the palm trees, aluminum christmas trees and a general spirit of Mele Kalikimaka and Live Aloha. A local restaurant (Flatbread Company) enjoyed a magnificent Empoyee Christmas Party with 60 in attendance and members from the band 'Godsmack' live on stage. Guests declared the best party ever!.. and of course the most amazing surprise venue they had ever experienced! Two days later I was visited by a police escort including Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Chief. They handed me a Cease & Desist and declared gross misuse of space and subsequent code violations. They ordered all significant elements of the space to be immediately dismantled. They did however suggest that with renewed apllication for permits and estimated budget of $150,000, I could most likely resume with my business in 2011. They gave me till January 1 to comply. With the Christmas holiday just one week away - I decided to jump to action and eliminate the pain.. as best I could. With a couple of good friends, a couple of paid workers, and a 35' UHaul - the island was dismantled and the floor finally swept just five days later. It is all just a memory now and lives on, only in our minds and a few digital pictures. Over 300 2 X 4's and about 70 sheets of plywood and who knows how many nails and screws were thrown into dumpsters, along with a boatload of hopes. Im am so happy that some of you were able to experience the Island - the shores were never more joyous than the nights you were in attendance. I regret more of you could not have been there and that I never fully achieved my dream plans. Not so sure I have it in me to try again, and certainly know I dont have the budget. Thanks again for your support and the joy you all brought to the island! Jon Mooers

Aloha all, not from the shores of the Island.
I am sorry to report that exotic Island is indeed no more. After two years of hard work.. and thousands of dollars.. the Island was eliminated in 4 days.
Flash back four weeks... The Island was decorated in all its retro holiday glo - with lights in the palm trees, aluminum christmas trees and a general spirit of Mele Kalikimaka and Live Aloha. A local restaurant (Flatbread Company) enjoyed a magnificent Empoyee Christmas Party with 60 in attendance and members from the band 'Godsmack' live on stage. Guests declared the best party ever!.. and of course the most amazing surprise venue they had ever experienced!

Two days later I was visited by a police escort including Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Chief. They handed me a Cease & Desist and declared gross misuse of space and subsequent code violations. They ordered all significant elements of the space to be immediately dismantled. They did however suggest that with renewed apllication for permits and estimated budget of $150,000, I could most likely resume with my business in 2011. They gave me till January 1 to comply. With the Christmas holiday just one week away - I decided to jump to action and eliminate the pain.. as best I could. With a couple of good friends, a couple of paid workers, and a 35' UHaul - the island was dismantled and the floor finally swept just five days later. It is all just a memory now and lives on, only in our minds and a few digital pictures. Over 300 2 X 4's and about 70 sheets of plywood and who knows how many nails and screws were thrown into dumpsters, along with a boatload of hopes.

Im am so happy that some of you were able to experience the Island - the shores were never more joyous than the nights you were in attendance. I regret more of you could not have been there and that I never fully achieved my dream plans. Not so sure I have it in me to try again, and certainly know I dont have the budget.

Thanks again for your support and the joy you all brought to the island!
Jon Mooers

Post #572316 by jpmartdog on Mon, Jan 17, 2011 3:11 PM