rRed Elephant going out of business
Jason Genegabus photo
Looks like the cooling economy has claimed another local business. Less than three years after opening in Chinatown, the owners of the rRed Elephant Cafe and LIVE @ The rRed Elephant have announced plans to leave the neighborhood.
Paul Kreiling and Joey Wolpert opened the cafe in Oct. 2005, followed by the recording studio/live performance space about three months later. They also established a new label, Elepani Productions, with plans to find and recruit promising local musicians for work on upcoming projects.
But when I drove by Monday night, I saw a number of signs posted on the front door and windows of the cafe.
This was printed on the sign visible on the right hand side of the picture above:
AFTER MANY MONTHS OF REFLECTION, WE HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE OUR AWARD WINNING “LIVE” @ THE rRED ELEPHANT CONCERT VENUE, RECORDING STUDIO AND rRED ELEPHANT CAFÉ.
IT HAS BEEN AN EVENTFUL AND CHALLENGING PAST 4 YEARS, LAUNCHING AND BUILDING OUR BUSINESS IN CHINATOWN. WE WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK OUR CUSTOMERS FOR SUPPORTING US AND BEING PART OF OUR FAMILY. OUR HEARTFELT THANKS GO OUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND TO ANDY FRIEDLANDER, OUR LANDLORD, WHO GAVE US THE CHANCE TO DO WHAT WE DO.
SOME OF THE CONCERTS WE’VE HAD IN OUR “LIVE”@ THE rRED ELEPHANT CONCERT VENUE, HAVE BEEN THE VERY BEST THAT WE PERSONALLY HAVE EXPERIENCED IN SOME 30+ YEARS IN MUSIC BUSINESS. IN ADDITION TO THE SEASONED PROS WHO HAVE GRACED OUR STAGE, WE’VE SEEN GREAT GROWTH IN THE YOUNG ARTISTS THAT HAVE PERFORMED IN OUR CAFÉ.
WE HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL TO BE A SUPPORTER OF ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM HAWAII THROUGH THE KAUAI MUSIC FESTIVAL AND THE OAHU SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATON. WE’VE ALSO BEEN HONORED TO HANG SOME WONDERFUL ART ON OUR WALLS.
THE RECORDING ARTISTS THAT WE HAVE PRODUCED AND RECORDED HAVE BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH AND WE THINK THAT THEIR MUSIC IS AS RELEVANT AS ANY ANYWHERE. ONE OF THEM, DOOLIN’ RAKES, WAS NOMINATED FOR A HOKU AWARD FOR BEST ROCK CD.
SHOULD ANYONE, OR ANYONE YOU KNOW, BE INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN OR PURCHASING OUR BUSINESS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, PLEASE INQUIRE WITH JOEY OR PAUL AT 545-2468 OR INFO@RREDELEPHANT.COM.
A COMPLETE PRICE LIST OF OUR EQUIPMENT FOR SALE WHICH INCLUDES OUR CONCERT SOUND SYSTEM, DIGITAL RECORDING EQUIPMENT, BOSTON GRAND PIANO, MICROPHONES, AMPLIFIERS, LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY.
MANY MAHALOS FOR BEING WITH US THROUGH THESE YEARS.
PAUL, JOEY AND ANGIE AND OUR WONDERFUL STAFF, MARK, STACEY AND KC
Another sign stated the cafe would remain open as long as there was product to sell. No word if a final goodbye party is planned for the performance venue.
I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t patronize this place enough. Maybe I would have visited more if they were able to serve alcohol?
This could also be a great opportunity for someone looking for a turnkey recording studio - complete with second business attached - in a neighborhood well-suited for those types of activities.
Guess this is just another one of those times when I wish I was a little more lucky the last time I visited Las Vegas.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
They were a great place - best sound in concerts that I’ve ever experienced, really good rRed El coffee, and casual and warm coffee shop atmosphere. They did have a liquor license - since January this year. It’s a sad day.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Wow… they have/had a liquor license?
I wish Paul and Joey had let me know about that when it happened.
Also, it looks like TOMORROW (7/18) will be the last day of business for the cafe.
Sad.
(Thanks to John U. for the update)
July 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I had the pleasure of playing a couple of gigs there. The facilities were fantastic, and Joey and Paul were great to work with.
I’m utterly bummed. Where am I going to have my birthday party?
July 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I am so sad to hear that this special place is closing. My friends and I threw a birthday bash there and it was truly one of my happiest memories. Paul, Joey, Mark and staff were all fantastic and I wish them the very best.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Re:
> “Another sign stated the cafe would remain open as long as there was product to sell.”
–
I was in there with a buddy today to get coffee after dim sum. They are out of artificial sweetener already! The clerk said it’s pau, so bring your own ;)
July 17th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Sooooo sad!!!!
I’ll miss you, Joey:-)
July 17th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have been frequenting the rRed Elephant for the past year and have loved every performance at the live studio and the cafe. I just performed there with the rest of the Songwriter’s group and had no clue time was quickly ticking away.
What a sad affair for everyone, especially for two great guys. Paul and Joey, I hope you rise again soon in a place that will nurture your existence.
July 20th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Joey’s been one of my dearest friends for over thirty years now, and seeing him invest so much heart in everything he does made me hope that this thing that was so much more than a simple business venture would be everything we all hoped.
It’s truly sad that on an island where everyone is a part of your family, that family couldn’t muster the support for such a worthwhile goal: that of providing a perfect venue to showcase the incredible local talent and struggling artist community. Both Joey and Paul are truly dedicated to the music scene and worked their asses off to provide the ideal setting to the community.
So, come on Hawaiians, this business is more a labour of love than a business, but unless business is there (that means you get off of it and patronise the place), no amount of love will keep this inestimable resource open and available for the benefit of your cultural growth and history.