Downtown nightclub to reopen

A downtown night club is getting new life five months after closing.

Vintage Dance Lounge LLC owner Cole Blake said he’s targeting a reopening of the 301 Park Central East venture by year’s end. He said the business, under its former ownership, closed in May.

“We’re working on licenses right now, so once we get those, we’ll announce a date,” he said. “So far, we’re still optimistic about it. There’s lots to learn.”

It’s Blake’s first foray into the entertainment industry. He has experience running service businesses in the Lake of the Ozarks area, providing cleaning, detailing and flooring installation.

His background is coming in handy when it comes to infill expenses at Vintage Dance Lounge, as he said most of the work is being handled in-house. Among the work, carpeting is being ripped out and new flooring is being installed.

Renovation costs for the 6,000-square-foot nightclub space are estimated at $60,000. Blake said he purchased the business for undisclosed terms from Vintage Springfield LLC. A secretary of state filing for that LLC lists organizers Michael Heslin, Paul Sundy, Randy Gildehaus and Jameson Clark.

Blake said he signed on for a month-to-month lease as building owner Jay Hickman, via E.B. Building I LLC, seeks a sale. Blake said he’s considering a purchase of the property, which is listed for $765,000 by SVN Rankin Co. LLC.

With the new Vintage Dance Lounge, Blake said security concerns are being addressed, including upgraded lighting in bathrooms.

“We’re keeping it the same feel, same vibe, but we’re cleaning it all up,” he said.