(Update 3:49 p.m.)—After a nearly 17-year run, the Recher Theatre, a well-known Towson concert venue, is closing its doors.
The Recher family, which owns the venue and the attached bar and restaurant The Rec Room, plans to convert the space into a nightclub called Torrent Lounge.
"The [nightclub] scene is doing much better," said Brian Recher, who co-owns the spot with his brothers Steve Recher and Scott Recher. "The younger kids are going toward the DJ scene more."
The Rechers have already started the first phase of the transition by revamping patio space at the venue.
Brian Recher said additional renovations for Torrent Lounge will start in late-March, and band performances will continue until that time.
An opening date for the new lounge has not yet been set.
The Recher brothers opened the concert venue, which has hosted local and national musicians from a variety of genres, in 1996. The building was previously the historic Towson Theatre.
And yeah my brothers band played here a few times and to say they were treated well would be an over statement. He was in a high school band, kids living their dream of being pop stars, and they were all but bullied into selling enough tickets. Anyway the staff may suck at times, hello sound guy, but it will be missed.
1-Towson is not a TOWN-It is part of a county, therefore, it has a county council; learn learn your titles before throwing names around. 2-Business owners do have responsbilityin that if they do not provide safety to their patrons and the local community who do you think will patronize their businesses? Why do you think insurance exists? Because of such issues. 3-So now the taxpayers have to enforce the poor decisions of greedy business owners who don't even have any kind of information meeting before making such decisions? These are the same owners that had an issue less than 6 months ago? shame on them.
xtreme was closed due to "club go-ers'' going to downtown instead of towson and them losing money to the bigger guys.. not the stabbing or fightings like you say..
On the reggae front, you left out Toots and the Maytals. Also the bouncer staff was like a freakin' goon squad. When I saw Toots there about 10 years ago, you were allowed to smoke cigs in the place. Every time I lit up a cigarette, some 23 year old meat head would be up in my face asking me what I was smoking.
And to the guy(s) who say "stop complaining and open your own music venue"... Right.......... We're not allowed to have an opinion and voice our sadness for a decent music venue closing without having the ability to fork over hundreds of thousands to open our own.
I also had intended to mention, but it was 5am, that it had been a long time since these bands had played. I remember on several occasions driving by the marquee and wondering out loud why there were never names I knew anymore. Dave - yeah they weren't exactly kind to patrons. A few friends of mine have gotten into it with them over the years. And yeah I remember Toots playing! And one of the Marley boys, I wanna say Damien? They had good comedians back then too. But with Magoobys just up the street now, that won't happen. And to offer comparison, my brother also did an open mic stand up at Magoobys and wads treated wonderfully! He said even the guys who bombed got encouraged by the staff to come back when they were ready. Plus when my mother told the hostess wed come to see file, were escorted to a front row seat. The owner Andrew is just all around awesome. Not to mention I joined the mailing list and now I get 20 free tickets every year on my birthday. Plus the free ticket giveaways every week on their facebook. Don't see Recher doing that. Oh btw, big name bands used to come through and play two or three nights in a row. Fans always preferred this because you could get so close. Never a bad "seat". Once apon a time those tables in the back had stools.
Not too worry, certainly the new nightclub won't be any louder than the firehouse you placed in the middle of a residential neighborhood killing its property values.
As far as the venue change the owners are not greedy it's the responsibility of business owners to reinvent to stay afloat. As far as future problems that result at times from a nightclub business, like fights, DWI, loud music, disturbing peace, ect.it will be the responsibility of the Police, liquor board, patrons, and the County Government to keep the business in compliance with the law. If the business does not comply like: example Dock of the Bay in Millers Island then the powers to be must do what they do to implement compliance. The community cannot dictate what business owners do if Baltimore County government permits venue change. Towson is not exempt from unwanted venues in their community as Dundalk receives school closings, relocation of Police Precincts, homeless shelters, recoverring men homes directly in residences within the community, methadone distribution centers in a community house, ect... May all communities prosper....