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Like the fading echo of the night's last song, an Anchorage landmark will soon close its doors for good. Blues Central, which has been serving up blues music and food for some 17 years, is turning off the amps and the kitchen lights for the last time on Saturday night.
The tiny Spenard bar has been around in some form for almost 50 years. It began life as the Chef's Inn, a popular eatery and piano bar, and news of its closure is being felt by both local and iconic blues musicians.
Frank Dahl, 69, bought Blues Central at Chef's Inn about 16 years ago. After years of fostering blues music and good times at his bar, Dahl said he is ready to retire. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority -- a state owned public corporation -- has bought the building and parking lot and will be turning the property into office space. Dahl said he has been trying for several years to sell the bar to someone who could keep it running as a blues music venue, but was unable to find anyone with the financial means to buy the club outright.
"They (AIDEA) gave me an offer I just couldn't refuse," Dahl said.
Dahl said he would retain the bar's liquor license and name and still wants to find someone to carry on its tradition of bringing big-name blues acts to the Last Frontier. But Dahl said owning a bar in Alaska's largest city is getting tougher. Dahl criticized the Anchorage Assembly and Alaska Legislature for targeting bars in stings and regular police checks. Dahl claimed the state has become too enforcement-heavy when it comes to the hospitality industry, which he said employs more than 20,000 people statewide.
"The ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) board comes in on a regular basis and send in minors who look over 21 and try to trick the bartenders into serving them. And they do it often," Dahl said.