Detroit’s historic techno club The Works is facing eviction.
This past weekend, the iconic venue – which has held down 1846 Michigan Ave for more than two decades – started a GoFundMe page, sharing the news that the building had been purchased by a new owner who decided not to renew the nightclub’s lease.
“As with the recent fate of many small businesses in Detroit, The Works is being forced out of their property that they have been renting for 20 years,” reads a statement on The Works’ fundraising page. “Our previous landlord sold the building in a very fast deal, giving us a very short notice. The new landlord will unfortunately not give us a lease. We hate to ask, but we need help. We need money to help us move to our new location.”
Despite having already purchased a new location, the venue still has a long way to go before it is club ready. “We were working slow until we found out the building was sold and was told the landlord was going to work with us until our licenses have been transferred,” The Works’ owner Tammy Wilcox-Steelman said in an interview with Detroit Metro Times. “We are working as fast and hard as possible to get out of there ASAP.”
The club hopes to raise $50,000 to help with installing a sprinkler system, a water supply, an elevator and an exhaust system for the kitchen.
Having been a staple of Detroit’s electronic music scene for more than 20 years, The Works has played host to countless legendary DJs like Derrick Carter, Kevin Saunderson, Pete Tong, and many others.
To donate to The Works’ fund, click here!
