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400 Bar will not open at Mall of America

by Jay Gabler

September 24, 2014

"All you need is love," reads the Beatles lyric painted on the exterior wall of the Midwest Music Museum, but it looks like more will be required: an eviction summons is currently posted to the exterior door of what was planned to be the new 400 Bar at the Mall of America. According to the Star Tribune, the eviction summons cites $326,460.66 due in back rent on a monthly lease of $69,906.

After closing their original West Bank location two years ago, the Minneapolis venue surprised many this February by announcing plans to reopen at the Bloomington shopping center. An associated music museum opened in June, but the new music venue's expected opening in early August was delayed indefinitely, and some shows originally scheduled for the new venue were held in the museum. The museum's inaugural Beatles exhibit closed on Sept. 7, and no future exhibits have been announced.

The new complaint, filed in Hennepin County by MOAC Mall Holdings LLC, summons the venue's owners to a hearing at the county courthouse on Sept. 30. Representatives from the 400 Bar did not immediately respond to a request for comment; Dan Jasper, vice president of communications for Mall of America, issued the following statement.

"In any economy, it is frequently challenging for small or new businesses to establish themselves. Often finding appropriate financing terms can be a substantial obstacle for small business. This seems to be the circumstances for 400 Bar as they prepared to open at Mall of America. Timing and economic environment appear too challenging to allow 400 Bar to move forward with their plans.

"The 400 Bar has a unique place in Minnesota music history. Like so many others, we were excited when it was first announced that 400 Bar would be coming to Mall of America. While disappointed that 400 will not open at the Mall, we wish them the very best."

400 Bar Mall of America eviction summons
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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.