Exotic Island art studio closed

JPMartDog just filled me in that the studio had to close down ; i am VERY bummed I did not get a chance to make it up the hill to see this creative space...hopefully JP will find another place to display his creativity in New England...

mr. ho

I remember seeing pictures of it - what an awesome space complete with kitchen and everything. Too bad it didn't work out :(

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

Wow...how awful. Is it because you used the space to make a profit ? And if so, who is the a-hole that blew the whistle on you ?

Couldn't you just say you had a private party in your studio for some friends ?

That seems really extreme, and well....shitty...odes and permits have gotten so ridiculous, it's really almost killed the small business owner. I remember that Jeremy, the owner of the Tonga Hut told me "The state of California doesn't WANT you to do business", when we got into the discussion of codes and permits.

That just plain sucks. Sorry to hear about this.

Yea - it was actually almost humorous when the three arms of the law were running around the studio with flashlights and cameras documenting every corner and violation. Be it known all 'events' at the studio were only with friends. The space was never open to the public or with regular hours. Every event was adamantly planned that the friends using my studio must supply all alcohol and it would never be charged for. My friends that utilized my studio did make a donation to the studio for the use. The health inspector was convinced I was running a restaurant and illegal nightclub.

Yes it would seem that local restaurants did tire of hearing exclamations of how 'amazing' the place was and as 2010 progressed, I did have big parties on the big nights like Halloween, christmas parties and I did have New Years booked (I gave that deposit back). I expect the whistle was blown by a particular local business and function room.

Codes are there for a reason, one of those reason is to keep people safe and they are also there to monitor homes and business and adjust taxes accordingly for proper compensation and taxation for the town and state. With the new NSF kitchen regulations it is becoming cost prohibitive for a new restaurant owner to build a new venue with a professional kitchen.

I am proud of the two years I had at the studio and the atmosphere of hospitality and comfort that i created. Afavorite quote of mine - “I am always doing things I can't do, that's how I get to do them.”
-Pablo Picasso

Being a victim of City Planning, I can say with all conviction that Hitler was a city planner.
If you look at the website for the society of city planners, you will be frightened beyond belief, they dream of a utopia where THEY get to tell you what, where and why. Bastards! It's the Brown Shirts all over again.

I am very sorry for your loss.
That F'ing sucks!

When the revolution begins, first the trail lawyers, then the city planners!

sucky
Sorry to hear JP..
sad face

Wow, I did not understand when Mr. Ho posted the first post what it meant. And it is still incomprehensible. Did they have any proof that you were using it as a restaurant? Or nightclub? When something LOOKS professional, does that MAKE it professional/ commercial? The mind boggles. What a great Christmas present from the city! :(

Dat sux, man. Sorry to hear about the demise of Exotic Island.

Let hope those authorities that shut you down never find this site. They could bust everyone in the home tiki bar section for running unlicensed clubs, just because their basements are nicer than 99% of the licensed bars that are operating.

You need to find out who was responsible for closing you down and put the "tiki curse" on them.

Sorry to hear that.
What a pity.