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Balcony closing; will host its ‘Last Stand’

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By Kean Bartelman, Contributing Writer 10:37 AM Monday, October 12, 2009

Since its original opening as “Ozzies” in the 1970s, Balcony has been a favorite of Miami students and Oxford residents alike.

However, despite its success during the years, owner Bryan Hoelzer, who purchased the bar at 116 1/2 E. High St., in 2001, has decided to close up shop by mid-November. According to General Manager Clark Benson, things started going downhill in the past year.

“We went through several chefs and people have become less willing to pay for a good meal,” Benson said.

Similar to past bar closings in Oxford, Hoelzer plans on building new loft apartments that will be ready for next school year.

“We have noticed that people are willing to pay extra for a nice place to live,” said Benson. “Look at the new apartments on High Street, and the Lofts where Church Street Bar used to be ... they are like big city apartments. It just makes more sense because students need places to live, and they are willing to pay extra for amenities.”

As of now, Balcony is set to host its final blowout party, appropriately named “Balcony’s Last Stand” on Nov. 6-7.

“We are opening at noon, and having bands play all day. So far, there are 850 people confirmed on the Facebook group, so we are expecting a pretty big crowd,” Benson said.

Just two weeks after its “last stand,” Balcony will have its last official business day Nov. 14, and is slated to be demolished three days later.

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I cannot believe they're letting this happen. What a shame.

Class of '98
1:56 PM, 11/10/2009

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It should also be mentioned that the cover charge proceeds go to charity, namely the Ozzie's scholarship.

bzy
12:09 AM, 11/7/2009

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So long and thanks for the (fuzzy) memories...98 and 99 Ray's Music Exchange at The Balcony...a shame to see it go.

class of '00
4:48 PM, 11/6/2009

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Another bar/restaurant full of character and history being replaced by more new condos? What is happening to Uptown? Pretty soon it will have lost all that made it special...if it hasn't already.

Miami Alum
3:02 PM, 11/6/2009

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Hoelzer's an idiot. He obviously doesn't know how to run the business. Even if the restaurant wasn't doing well (mismanaged), there's no excuse at all for the Balcony to not have constant business. Last time I checked, college students still like to drink and listen to music. The problem was when they decided to move everything around inside. They killed all the charm that place had, and turned it into just another bland, box-like room, no feeling, no soul. It's been dead since then.

The Pool King
10:31 PM, 11/5/2009

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