Owners of The Mulehouse say show will go on, following notice of foreclosure auction
The Mulehouse popular concert and venue hall in Columbia is up for a foreclosure auction, according to Ron Ramsey & Associates Realtors and Auctioneers.
The auction is scheduled for June 26 with on-site bidding set to begin at 11 a.m.
However, current co-owner and venue visionary Blair Garner, known for his work as an acclaimed country music disc jockey, says The Mulehouse is not going anywhere and scheduled shows will go on without disruption.
The venue's marquee currently shows the sentiment, "Ain't Goin' Nowhere."The recent foreclosure notice stirred community speculation about the fate of Columbia’s premier music venue.
Monday, owner Blair Garner confirmed the auction but echoed the phrase on the marquee, dispelling worries among patrons about of an end to the popular concert hall.
“We believe it will be business as usual, all forward momentum,” Garner said, who co-owns the venue with Eric Garner. “We knew this could happen, but we are also for sure a sale will not go through.
“We have a well-crafted plan in place.”
Garner said the foreclosure auction is not expected to end with the property changing hands and confirmed The Mulehouse is not under current plans to shut down.
Although Garner said he is losing no sleep over the notice, he did not elaborate about the future plan as negotiations continue between the bank and owners.
The Mulehouse, 812 South High Street, has served as a popular music and event venue since opening in May 2021. The Mulehouse has hosted performances by artists such as Miranda Lambert, Craig Campbell, Tyler Farr, Tracy Byrd, Kevin Costner's band Modern West and many more artists.
Other events held at the Mulehouse include country music line dancing, comedy shows, receptions and gatherings like Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder's victory party in November.
Default of debt addressed
According to the Ron Ramsey & Associates Realtors and Auctioneers website, the notice of foreclosure mentions default of debt for the venue’s official company name, Coalesce Media LLC, and their plan to take offers from the highest bidder.
“We are trying to negotiate for a better term on our loan,” Garner said. “We want to make sure we are a sustainable project.”
Garner said it was fair to call the turn of events a procedural necessity in dealing with a defaulted debt.
The notice also names Justin M. Sveadas of Chattanooga as the substitute trustee holding powers of sale for the auction. These powers of sale allow for the trustee to be the decider of several different options of the sale.
Still selling tickets
Garner confirmed Monday that the venue is still selling tickets and that 90s Country Music star, Tracy Byrd is still scheduled to perform on July 22 with no impact or interruption to scheduled events.
“What I have seen is that we have an incredibly supportive community,” Garner said.
The venue is known for its rich, state-of-the-art sound technology at the former renovated First Baptist Church with stained-glass windows and pews for seating. A $7 million renovation project transformed the church into the popular, world-class music venue. Since its opening, patrons have been lining up to see name brand acts.
“We built The Mulehouse without excuse and spared no expense,” Garner said on the venue's website. “Much like Field of Dreams, we felt that if you build it, they will come.”
Garner’s mission, for patrons and performers, is “to provide an experience that is so deep and so rich that it becomes a memory. People will go where they feel welcome and appreciated and they will want to return. Shortcuts never win.”
According to Garner, the first venue is the first in America to be built around livestreaming and one of only two (Radio City Music Hall in New York is the other) that’s entirely 4K video resolution and is ready for 8k technology.
Check back with the Herald for more updates.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Mulehouse owners confirm show will go on, following foreclosure notice
