The nation's longest running nonalcoholic dance club is looking for a new home.
The Palace, which opened in 1978 in east Provo as the Star Palace discotheque, closed its doors Dec. 2. Brian Murdock, who worked the lights and sound since the first day of operations, says the club is using the Provo National Guard Armory until a new building is found.Murdock had leased the building on 900 East for the past few years and was hoping to purchase the facility. However, the building was sold recently to Western Direct Marketing and is being converted to a work station for about 250 telemarketers.
But Murdock still owns the equipment and plans to reopen shop soon at another permanent site.
"We're still trying to keep things going, and all we need now is a new building," Murdock said.
Before becoming the Star Palace in 1978, the building on 900 East was used for a bowling alley, ice rink and roller rink. From 1978 to 1980 the club flourished as Utah County's hottest singles spot. Many Utah County couples had their first dance at the Star Palace.
But when the disco era cooled off, so did the Star Palace. Murdock took over the struggling club in 1982 and operated the business in a partnership with the building's owner, Mike Calder.
The Star Palace basically catered to Brigham Young University students. Murdock changed the name to the Palace and changed the club's focus to attract a bigger market. He introduced high school nights, big bands, live bands, country night, ladies night, a big screen television for music videos and a laser system.
"We've outlasted the competition all these years because we diversified and tried different things," Murdock said.
The club's bread and butter the past decade has been country nights. This year the club introduced the highly successful Latin night. More than 800 customers visited the dance club the last night it was open.
"We've had very loyal crowds and we have a real good customer-employee relationship," Murdock said.
Murdock hopes to continue his country nights and Latin nights out of the Armory while searching for a new building. He also plans to continue running the club as a clean-cut, nonalcoholic gathering place.
"I'm not interested in doing it any other way," he said.
For more information on when and where the Palace will operate call 37-DANCE.