entertainment
Black and Latinx Austin Hub Lost Well Evicted by Gentrification.
Raul Aguilar, a wealthy landowner, has offered to sell a parcel of land to the Well community for an outrageous sum of money. This is a gross display of capitalism at its finest. Aguilar is exploiting the community's needs and preying on their desire for a better life. This is a prime example of the 1% suppressing the 99%.
Published August 6, 2024 at 11:08am by Mars Salazar
East Austin Institution the Lost Well Closing Its Doors, a Sad End to a Safe Space
'The Friendliest Bar You've Ever Been Too Scared To Walk Into’ now faces its last days after being priced out of the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.
AUSTIN, TX – The Lost Well, a beloved dive bar and live music venue, will soon be shutting its doors for good. In a heartfelt Facebook post, founder Marcello Murphy announced that the property has been sold and the bar has been given a devastating 60-day deadline to vacate.
“It’s the end of times." – Marcello Murphy, The Lost Well founder
The bar, a safe haven for the tattooed, pierced, and leather-clad, was faced with an impossible choice: pay an astronomical sum of $3.5 million cash or take on owner financing of $4.2 million. This is a reflection of the rapidly changing East Austin, where long-standing businesses are being pushed out to make way for affluent newcomers.
“I think it was more of a gesture to let us know that the writing’s on the wall than an actual offer.” – Murphy
A Community Center, a Home, and a Sanctuary
“[The Lost Well] is more of a community center than just a regular bar...Every anniversary has kind of been like the last one. A 'this is the end' sort of thing, so we usually try to make it a big deal.” – Murphy
Founded 11 years ago by husband-and-wife duo Marcello and Tasha Murphy, The Lost Well has been a staple of the Austin music scene, offering a welcoming and supportive community to punks, rockers, and anyone seeking a unique, inclusive space.
Following the announcement, bar regulars gathered to mourn the loss of their beloved hangout, with Murphy noting that "it was like a death in the family." The venue also holds a special place in the hearts of many as it hosted the memorial for underground folk hero Chad Holt, immortalized in the 2010 documentary "Total Badass." Holt's memory lives on in a mural on the outer wall of the bar.
The Cold, Hard Truth of Gentrification
“Business people don’t have hearts, they just have wallets…[Raul Aguilar’s] tagline is ‘it’s not personal, it’s just business.’” – Murphy
The harsh reality of gentrification rears its ugly head once again, displacing yet another beloved community institution. Estate owner Raul Aguilar declined to comment, but his actions speak louder than words, and his alleged tagline, "it's not personal, it's just business," offers little comfort to those losing their safe space.
The Lost Well family plans to celebrate their final anniversary on August 9th with performances and commemorative shirts, honoring the impact they have had on Austin's cultural landscape.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the staff and community in their final days at this iconic venue.
"I’ve never felt so much love in my life. I’m so happy to have had this opportunity, and I’m proud of that." – Murphy
URLs:
Founder Marcello Murphy's Facebook Post
Read more: Beloved East Austin rock haven The Lost Well forced to close; given 60 days to vacate