Published: June 26, 2009 06:51 pm      

Area concert venue closing

By ALICIA SHELDON

Register-News

MT. VERNON — After providing the youth of Mt. Vernon with a safe concert environment for more than eight years, the Living Room is closing its doors.

The venue, located at 104 North 9th St., received complaints from surrounding businesses concerning vandalism and litter left by concert attendees, resulting in a termination of the lease agreement, according to co-owner Tom Schroeder.

The Living Room has held shows for almost a decade and hosted both regional and national bands. Well-known bands among teens, such as Disciple, Chiodos, Breathe Carolina and Falling Up, have played at the Living Room.

“It’s a sad day. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this place just to give kids a cool, safe place to go see concerts because music has always been an important part of my life,” said Schroeder, who co-owns the Living Room with his wife, Brenda.

The Living Room was open to all ages and formed around Christian values, often featuring Christian bands, Schroeder said. In recent months, the Living Room offered a Wednesday night worship service called WHY.

“[We wanted] to give the youth of Mt. Vernon a place to go, a safe environment for friendship and fellowship,” Schroeder explained.

Many local youth have posted messages online thanking Schroeder for providing them with a safe, fun concert environment with a Christian atmosphere.

Though the Living Room at its current location is closing, Schroeder says that he is still “weighing his options” as far as a new location.

The final show at The Living Room will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday and will feature the bands Dear Future, The Rocketboys and Josiah Jones.