TRYING TO MAKE HEADS OR FISH TALES OF THE SITUATION >>>

Late last month, The Loft on Cherry hosted its final event. Soon, the stage, the light system, and everything else will disappear from the expansive space. The Loft's historic floor will be ripped out in order to make room for kegs of local beer.  And, if nearly 1,000 community members make good on their pledge, Fish Brewing could see a dip in sales.

Of course, for those of you who have followed Fish Brewing's proposed expansion proceedings, none of this comes as a surprise.

What may surprise you is that I, someone who has followed The Loft story closely, am having a hard time pinning down how I feel about Fish Brewer's expansion into The Loft space.  First and foremost, I'm angry at Fish for failing to negotiate with Loft supporters. In my opinion, Fish didn't make a true attempt to find other viable solutions to destroying The Loft. Sure, they gave money to art community, helped find another space and might even sponsor upcoming cultural events.  But from the outset, Fish had their collective head set on expanding into The Loft, no matter how many alternative solutions were presented. 

On the other hand, I'm definitely aware of Fish's need to grow. There are other arts spaces in the community (the owner of The Loft on Cherry will now operate out of the Olympia Ballroom and maybe the Eagles Hall). I'm not sure it's economically appropriate for any one art space to impede the progress of a thriving local business. Besides, isn't this the typical lifeline of an art space anyway? Operate for as long as possible, until a bigger, more financially viable corporation wants to buy up the space. Then, with the space sold, move on to the next DIY warehouse or crusty studio, grumble about the power of money over art and start fresh traditions in a new arena. The cycle inevitably repeats, but such is the nature of art. 

In an effort decide exactly how I felt on the closure of The Loft, I called Ross Cowman. Cowman, a member of the Art Kitchen and employee of Bicycle Records, was packing up the Bicycle Records office when I called. Since their office was adjacent to The Loft, they also had to leave the building on Cherry and Legion.

I asked Cowman to give me a statement regarding The Loft's closure. He said sure, but after some fumbling, awkward attempts, it was obvious he was having a difficult time clearly articulating how he felt.

"I guess I don't have too much to say," he finally managed. "Other than this sucks. It's a big bummer."

A bummer. What a perfect description for how I feel about The Loft closing.

As we advance further into a Loftless Olympia, there are a couple possible ways to look at the closure of The Loft. At best, it's only a minor bummer. Olympia lost a wonderful space where artists could come together and share their ideas. Its closure was necessary in an effort to help an important local business grow. Still, a loss was is a loss, any way you look at it. 

At worst, The Loft closing is a colossal bummer. During my research into The Loft story I came across unconfirmed reports that Fish Brewing plans to outgrow the Cherry and Legion building within five years. Even with the Brewery's expansion into The Loft, their continued growth will eventually force them to move out of the building altogether. To where? Another building downtown? The outskirts of Thurston County? How about up north in Woodinville where Washington Wine & Beverage, Fish's majority owner, is located. Again, these reports couldn't be confirmed, but in my mind they ring true of a popular mantra for any businesses: growth, growth, growth.    

Knowing all of this, I still can't pin exactly how I feel about the expansion. Is it a short term, minor bummer that amounts to a great opportunity for Fish and even area artists? Or, in five years will we look back on Fish Brewing as the cursed brewery who killed The Loft before skipping town? Either way, The Loft is gone now. And like Cowman said, it's a bummer. On one level or another.