Can the Flat Iron be saved? GoFundMe started for Greensboro music venue

Greensboro's music scene is trying to save the iconic Flat Iron venue, which reached out to its followers on Facebook with a dire plea on Thursday.

"Things are looking pretty bleak for The Flat Iron," according to a post on the business Facebook account of owners Josh King and Abbey Spoon. "We have taken quite a few hits over the last several months - a combination of things that are really tough to bounce back from when you are already scraping by.

"It's a bummer, but here we are."

For years, the Flat Iron, on the downtown end of Summit Avenue, was known as a place to drink beer and shoot pool, and as a place where original music could grow. The refurbished bar is part of the downtown music scene, with a 100-seat venue and an eclectic group of performing artists. This past week featured shows by Mountain Flower, Mira Lazuli and Desiree Dawson. Up next is the Walnut Circle Band, which features original music and also covers Jimmy Buffett, Jimi Hendrix and Boz Scaggs.

"Ready to launch the Go Fund Me whenever you are," popular artist Laurelyn Dossett wrote on Facebook. "Let's do this."

A GoFundMe for the venue had raised nearly half of a $30,000 goal by noon on Friday.

Other artists have been reminiscing about how the venue nurtured their careers and gave them a start.

"A lot of my performance background was being on y'all's stage so many times," wrote Shane Wheeler, "and you guys allowing me to perform and experiment musically."

But others are warning that maybe now is the time to get away, with something.

"Take what you have left and go before there's nothing left," wrote Fred Baker, who has nearly 2,000 friends online and says he speaks from experience. "I learned the hard way, there was nothing left.... Sorry, not trying to be negative or mean, speaking from experience."

"I'm sure I'll catch it for saying this," wrote Dale Dickerson, "but I'd say people don't wanna go downtown at night as much as in years past."

The Flat Iron didn't respond to any of the comments, but did note that a Hail Mary concert will be announced soon.

"LET'S DO A MUSIC BENEFIT TO RAISE MONEY WITH DIFFERENT ARTISTS FROM R&B TO ROCK," typed Tanya Velez-Wright, in all caps.

The announcement brought together those new to the local music scene and, like Dossett, the veterans.

Even with a popular, upcoming and recent slate of artists, ticket sales have been low, while operating costs remain constant.

The owners say they do not want to be a part of the exodus of businesses that have closed.

The Facebook plea is to buy tickets for upcoming events.

"I love the Flat Iron," posted Sloane Moretz. " I just bought tickets to six shows last night! Definitely will help keep this venue going."

Suzanne Stafford said it's where she slung beers, fell in love, played some of the best shows of her life and met some of her best friends. The "Save the Flat Iron: Greensboro's Last True Small Music Club" GoFundMe crowd-sourcing campaign started by Stafford has already raised $13,500 of a $30,000 goal as of noon on Friday. The Flat Iron Facebook page reposted the fundraiser, thanking Stafford and anyone who donates.

"We have already watched too many places disappear this year," Stafford wrote. "Too many places that gave this city its character and soul.

"I refuse," Stafford said, "to let this place disappear without a fight."

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