The Artful Dodger is no longer open for business.
The hybrid restaurant, bar, coffeeshop, and music venue was in legal peril when an owner was charged with “Restaurant Possession of Alcohol with no License” on Dec. 30 of last year.
The business’s alcohol license was revoked two months earlier, according to WHSV. The Artful Dodger’s Facebook page marked the avenue “Permanently Closed” on Jan. 26.
Shortly after the retraction of its alcohol license, the Artful Dodger closed temporarily for renovations.
“We are taking some much needed time to get a lot of things accomplished in house that simply can’t be done while we’re open,” the company posted on Facebook. “Rest assured that we are busy redecorating and remodeling for the great things that are coming.”
The avenue never fully reopened, but held at least three events in the two months following the announcement of temporary closure. “Opening for music and drinks tonight,” read a Dec. 22 Facebook post.
The Daily News-Record cites a report from prosecutors alleging “someone from the business” purchased alcohol at an ABC store and offered it on the night of Dec. 29. A former owner was cited just hours later.
The Artful Dodger, formerly located in the middle of downtown Harrisonburg, opened its doors in 1992. The restaurant was widely known for its versatility. “Coffee shop by day, club by night,” says the business’ website. It was voted the Shenandoah Valley’s Best Dance Spot in 2018. The Dodger’s events included drag nights, salsa dances, Two-Dollar Tuesdays, Throwback Thursdays, open mic nights, and art gallery openings.
“I spent such an obscene amount of time there,” said Caleb Townsend, a former EMU student and Artful Dodger employee. “The Dodger closing is such a bizarre feeling because it means so many things to so many people … It felt more like a living room than an establishment at some points.”
Townsend pointed to the venue’s front porch as one of the features distinguishing the Artful Dodger from other local restaurants and bars.
In addition to providing space for spontaneous music sessions, the porch allowed customers to “sit outside, drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, watch people walk by, and keep dry.”
“I met so many people there, and not just in passing,” Townsend reflected. “I made lifelong friendships just sitting on that porch.”
Behind the Artful Dodger’s unique environment and $3.50 unlimited coffee, however, were serious issues behind the scenes at least up until 2017, according to Townsend. In his opinion, “The Dodger’s closing was for so many more reasons than their alcohol license removal.”
He continued, “They didn’t always create a safe work environment for their workers, and due to numerous incidents involving harassment and shady payment practices, the Dodger experienced essentially an entire staff turnover in 2017 … To the people who were so far into the wormhole that is the downtown Dodger social scene, the closing of the dodger almost feels like the end of a toxic relationship.”
Two former DJs at the restaurant could not be reached for comment on the closing of the restaurant.
It is unclear what will become of the building formerly home to the Artful Dodger. For now, “closed” signs line the windows.
