Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Club Kryptonite in Myrtle Beach shuts doors

The party's over at Club Kryptonite.

The business's owner, Maximus Entertainment LLC, was sued by Burroughs & Chapin Co. Inc. on Nov. 4 for a breach of contract and served an eviction notice the day before for unpaid rent, according to court documents. The club rented the building from B&C.

Club Kryptonite, at 2925 Hollywood Drive in Myrtle Beach, has until Nov. 17 to vacate the building or respond to the notice. The decision was made to vacate, said co-owner Andrew Manios.

The court documents did not include the amount owed to B&C, and company officials declined to comment.

The slowdown from the economy, combined with the increase in rent and additional insurance policies the business had to take on, made it tough to pay the bills, Manios said. The club's last night was Halloween.

Club Kryptonite featured dance and techno music, a 1,500-square-foot dance floor, go-go dancers and promotions such as "Boxing for Boobs," which would reward the winning woman with a breast enhancement.

Sales decreased at the 21,000-square-foot club in 2009, and it was just enough to survive and continue on throughout the summer and part of the winter, Manios said.

"We definitely wanted to give everyone Kryptonite as long as we could, but if we were to continue on through November, December, January and February, because of the lack of tourism over the next four months, it would be impossible for us to continue," said Manios, who has co-owned the club with his brother since it opened in April 2002. "We love Myrtle Beach. It's not like we want to leave, but we just have to make a smart business decision."

On Monday, the voice on Club Kryptonite's answering machine said, "We are now closed for renovations all the way until 2010."

Manios said to disregard that recording. The renovation route was something the owners were considering, but they later abandoned the idea.

There has been talk of the club moving to the location of the former Bullwinkle's Family Food & Fun on 1002 29th Ave. N., but Manios declined to comment on the possibility.

Leaders from some of the neighboring businesses say they don't foresee any loss in business because of the club's closing.

"I don't think it will affect Planet Hollywood one bit," said Jarett Patterson, assistant manager of Planet Hollywood.

The club primarily attracted teenagers and young adults, while Planet Hollywood's clientele is largely made up of families.

"To us, it was surprising," said Agustin Ayala, manager of Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse. "I thought they were doing a good job, and it's a shame they're actually closing."

Ayala said his restaurant had a good working relationship with the club, and during some of the steakhouse's bigger promotions, the owners of Club Kryptonite would allow patrons to use the club's parking lot for overflow.

Patterson said Planet Hollywood may look into the club's building once it is vacated as a possible site for the Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo, which is also owned by Planet Hollywood.

Manios and his brother, Chris, are going to pursue other business ventures, he said.

There are no immediate plans to start any new businesses in the area, but it's not out of the question, Andrew Manios said.

"We're looking forward to seeing Myrtle Beach again," he said. "We love Myrtle Beach."