Bands losing a venue, owner losing a dream

By Becky Bosshart

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 | 1:50 a.m.

When Canvas Cafe closes its doors Saturday night after a final fete of more than 20 local indie bands and live art demonstrations, the patrons will be looking off into a suburban Las Vegas neighborhood that, once again, is like any other suburban neighborhood: strip malls anchored by big-box grocery stores, chain restaurants and banks.

Chef and owner Aaron Schropp’s struggling corner cafe hasn’t gotten help from the government or banks. His masterful sandwich creations paired with a collection of local contemporary art in a music venue created something unique in Silverado, fans said.

But the canvas was torn by the credit meltdown and a loss of more than $8,000 in revenue after its liquor license was terminated in mid-February.

“It’s disheartening because we built something special here for the Las Vegas cultural community,” Schropp said Friday. “This is heartbreaking. I’m losing my dream.”

Schropp said he needed from $50,000 to $100,000 to cover operational costs and pay down debt for the next year. No bank would touch him, he said. The 19-month-old cafe is risky in this economic environment.

Schropp said his revenue situation got worse when his liquor license was terminated by the county. He said the license was pulled because his business partner, who is no longer involved, didn’t complete his background check. Clark County could not be reached immediately for comment.

Schropp, 30, said that despite all the problems he’s had, he wants the cafe to be remembered as a place for culture. The closure puts seven workers out of a job.

“We were abstract in nature and undefined,” said Schropp, who spent about six years at Delmonico Steak House at The Venetian Resort. “We’ll go out with a bang.”

Many local artists, musicians and patrons craved a spot such as this in Las Vegas. And they found it at 430 East Silverado Ranch Blvd.

The 8 p.m. Friday concert featured about nine bands, including Holding onto Sound, Donner’s Party and HighDro.

The 6 p.m. Saturday concert has a lineup of 15 bands, including Hungry Cloud, the Petals, Late for Dinner, Rubiks Hotel and Afghan Raiders.

Schropp hosted political debates and music fests for election night and the inauguration (Shepard Fairey’s famous “Hope” poster of President Obama hangs in the cafe).

And, oddly enough, they packed the house. The cafe received more press than what could be cut out and taped to the walls.

The cafe was on the way to becoming a green restaurant. Schropp saw the business breaking even in the summer months.

For many people, Canvas Cafe was in an odd location. The hipster bunch ventured out of the city center, away from the neon afterglow, to hang there.

“It was a haven out in the middle of nowhere,” said Jay Dubbler, a promoter who often booked bands at Canvas Cafe.

Artists will have to find another venue. Mike Biggs, a “sub-culture” artist, made about $1,000 in sales at the Canvas Cafe in the last year. He’ll be moving seven pieces on display there to the downtown gallery he runs with his wife, Dasha, or to their Green Valley home.

“I like it because of the people who run it and the style of place it is,” said Biggs, who will be doing some live art at the weekend concerts. “It’s not like Starbucks where it’s super corporate. It’s just a good local feeling.”

Canvas Cafe offered one of the few venues in the Las Vegas Valley that was open to all ages and didn’t charge a cover.

“I’ve never seen a vibe like Canvas Cafe,” said Chani Leavitt, 22, lead singer of Rubiks Hotel. “We’ll miss it. I wish it weren’t happening.”

Many patrons came to Canvas Cafe because it was such a different place right in their suburban backyard.

Schropp said he chose the location because he lives in walking distance. He worked long hours, nearly 100 a week at his business and his part-time job at a nightclub on the strip. He wanted to be close to his family. Schropp is married and has two children.

“The south side of the valley needed something like this,” he said. “We needed to start our own scene.”

He’s been offered a job in Hollywood, but he could also stay in the valley. And he would like to resurrect the cafe at some point when the economy improves. What stings even more is that Schropp’s business is near Bank of America and Wells Fargo, two corporations that received government stimulus money.

His thoughts: “Banks that failed should’ve closed. That’s what happens. You don’t have the money you close.”

For Schropp that day is nigh.