They're Closing Our Music Venue And Putting Up a Wal-Mart!

[Dave Sund]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1458&u_sid=1380050

Registration's required, so I'll give you the fine points:

The Ranch Bowl, located at about 72nd and Pacific Streets in Omaha, is an icon in a local music scene that is bubbling just under the surface. I met every unknown band I like, including the Chicago bands like Lucky Boys Confusion and The Dog & Everything, through the Ranch Bowl. It's a great place for keeping the fans close to the bands, and everything. They give plenty of opportunities to local punk bands and foster a lot of friendships between local bands and some national acts.

Unfortunately, the place is a piece of shit. A bowling alley connected to a couple of bars. New management came in a couple years ago and tried to improve it, but figured out that it was hopeless, and decided to close it, and focus on building a new venue.

But the worst part about it is that Wal-Mart is thinking of buying the land, and possibly some surrounding land, and building a Wal-Mart on the area. It feels like an insult. I've spent so many nights at that place, and it's been so much fun. And now it's going to be a Wal-Mart. I feel sick.