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‘We’re trying everything’: Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa struggles to survive

By DaShawn Brown, wsoctv.com
By DaShawn Brown, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE — The future of The Neighborhood Theatre, which is a Charlotte cornerstone, is unsure.

The theatre in NoDa served as a stomping ground for local and regional acts for more than 20 years.

Gregg McCraw, president of Maxx Music that handles booking for the theatre, likened its impact to the minor leagues.

“We’re the Charlotte Knights or the Charlotte Checkers of the music industry,” McCraw said. “These artists that you see that make it to the really big stages started here.”

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The normally vibrant atmosphere has fallen silent in the days of COVID-19.

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Shows at the theatre have been canceled since March 7.

"We have zero income, but the bills are still coming," McCraw said. "We have rent. We have utilities. We have insurance. We have all those bills. We would have in a normal operating month."

Neighborhood Theatre recently launched a GoFundMe campaign in a desperate plea for help. In less than one week, the campaign raised more than $40,000 of its $50,000 goal.

McCraw’s not sure how far the money will go.

‘We all understand the plight of restaurants, but we can't do takeout music,” he said. “It's our doors are open and bands playing, or we're not doing anything.”

The Maxx Music president also expressed concern even when restrictions allow the theatre to reopen, it won’t be business as usual.

“When will people feel comfortable coming out and standing in this room with 200 to 300 other people?” he asked.

Jacksonville businesses are adding to new procedures to keep guests safe Jacksonville businesses are adding to new procedures to keep guests safe

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