PARK CITY — Harry O's, which was one of Utah's best-known night clubs, has been evicted following an extensive battle over past-due bills and lease payments.
The owners of the club billed as "The World Famous Harry O's" were locked out of their business last week. At 5 p.m. on April 28, at the end of the 72-hour eviction notice a judge had given Athanasios III LLC — the company that operated under the name Harry O's — locksmiths with police protection went to the doors of the popular nightclub and changed the locks.
The eviction was the culmination of a long legal battle between Athanasios III and the owners of the building Harry O's occupied, Memorial Building LLC, at 427 Main.
"Memorial Building commenced an eviction action over a year ago," said attorney Joseph Wrona, who represents Memorial Building. "Athanasios tried every trick in the book to ward off eviction."
Wrona said Athanasios twice filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Even as recently as January, he said they owed more than $100,000 in rent and the gas to their building had even been turned off for not paying bills.
"This was happening in the middle of the ski season, which is the high season," Wrona said. "If they can't even afford to keep the gas on during the winter … it just seems to me they did not have a viable business model. The proof's in the pudding."
Harry O's lease was about $20,000 per month. Wrona said that was an average price for the large space the club occupied in the prime location on Park City's historic Main Street.
Harry O's opened in 1999 and quickly became known for the national acts it brought to its stage. The club was the hot spot for parties each year during the Sundance Film Festival. But Wrona said the company "struggled throughout" its lease. In April, Athanasios again missed payment on its rent and was about $15,000 behind, he said.
When a judge finally signed a 72-hour eviction notice, Wrona said people affiliated with Athanasios were inside the club just hours before the locks were changed, "frantically ripping out audio and sound equipment."
"Ladders were still up. There was still stage equipment half assembled."
As for what will take Harry O's place, Wrona said Memorial Building LLC, wasn't necessarily looking for a nightclub. "We're willing to consider any business model," he said.
But he noted that the company would be asking questions about the potential new renter such as: Do we believe in the business? Do we think it will be economically viable? Will they be able to pay their rent on time? Is it safe? Does it give something to the community?
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