CHICAGO — Spin, a longtime staple of Chicago's gay scene, is "officially closed."
The club, at 800 W. Belmont Ave., said goodbye on its Facebook page Monday.
"SPIN is officially closed," the post reads. "We would like to thank all of our customers for their support these many years and wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day! Stay tuned for what happens next ..."
Spin, which has been owned by local businessman David Gassman for more than 15 years, went up for sale in February.
The 9,000-square-foot club at the high-traffic corner of Belmont Avenue and Halsted Street was known for its big dance floor, amateur drag shows and Friday night shower contests.
ChicagoPride.com reports that employees were notified of the "sudden" closure early Monday, and that the bar is "under new ownership with plans to reopen around pride weekend."
Gassman owns several properties in the neighborhood, including buildings in the 3800 block of North Broadway that he plans to redevelop.
Broker Mike Costanzo told DNAinfo in February that Gassman did not want to run the club anymore.
"He’s been owning the business for 15 years, and he wants to sell it," Costanzo said. "He knows he can get top dollar for it because that area is on fire."
Already, longtime club patrons and employees were mourning the loss of the Boystown hangout.
"The past 3½ years, have gave me the friends and drag family that I have today," bar manager Thomas Andrews said in a Facebook post. "I've met most of the RuPaul girls, a few Real House Wife gals [and] worked with an amazing staff that I'll never forget. I'm really going to miss seeing everyone's face on a weekly basis."
Shane Kalminski, aka Shanté DéTroit, is a member of Chicago's "Drag Mafia" and said Spin is where he met the "people who've changed my life."
"Spin was our Cheers, our Lobo, Chubbie's Famous and The Max all rolled into one," Kalminski said in a Facebook farewell to the bar. "I'm sending prayers and good wishes to the staff who are suddenly without a job ... RIP Spin, you'll be missed."
Gassman could not be reached for comment.
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