Baltimore’s beloved 8×10 music club in Federal Hill is officially up for sale or lease, and the current owners say the lights will go out at the end of June. The cramped, three-story room has been a mainstay for local bands and touring artists for decades, and word that it is on the market has quickly sparked a local debate over who, if anyone, will keep its DIY-friendly calendar alive. Owners Abigail Janssens and Brian Shupe say the decision is personal rather than business-driven; family health needs mean they can no longer juggle day-to-day operations while they search for a buyer or lessee. For regulars, the big question is whether the 8×10’s sound and spirit can survive a handoff to new ownership.
Listing details and price
The business and property are being publicly marketed with an asking price reported at about $450,000. A business listing on BizBuySell notes that the sale or lease package covers the venue’s sound and video system, its multi-level bar areas and a BD-7 class liquor license that allows seven-day alcohol service and live music. The broker’s profile on Restaurant Broker also cites a roughly 4,000-square-foot interior along with recent investments in AV and kitchen gear. Anyone seriously kicking the tires is being sent to those listing pages for contact details and a full equipment inventory.
Owners’ timeline and reasons
As per WBAL-TV, Co-owner Brian Shupe stated, “can’t split our time between running the venue and caring for our parents,” and that they set a June 30 closing date so bands could come back to play one last time. WBAL reports the couple have been at the helm of the 8×10 since 2005, and that the Cross Street address has hosted live music for roughly 50 years. Shupe also told WBAL there has been some interest from prospective buyers, but no deal was in place at the time of the interview…