Confirmed: Treasure Trove to Shutter by Year's End

By Melissa McCart Tue., Nov. 29 2011 at 3:44 PM

Come January 1, no more taco Tuesdays -- or anything else -- at Treasure Trove. The beloved dive bar off A1A will shutter by year's end. A doubling of his $4,000-a-month rent as of January 1 by building owner Sophia Enterprises is too steep for the business to maintain.

After 17 years running his bar, owner Jeff Rudd says the closure is all bitter, no sweet. "I can barely rub two nickels together, let alone pay that kind of money," he told us this past summer.

The announcement of the closure prompted polarized reactions among readers. In the comment thread from this summer, one reader sympathized with the building owners.
"A $2.7 million condo would rent for more than $8K per month. Landlords can't be expected to support people who can't get anyone to come in unless they charge 1985 prices."

Further down the thread, former critic John Linn responded:

The Treasure Trove is one of those time-honored dives that will inevitably go away, that give this place we live in the charm and character that it deserves. When it's all plastic club-a-raunts, maybe then we'll mourn the loss of something that was unique. It's why people who value creativity and spirit all eventually move away from this place, so that it can be populated more and more by folks who care about how pretty dishes upon which their $30 plates of food are being served.

"Carlos" beat his horse:

Culture has value if it's good culture. When the culture is tattooed, chain-smoking biker dudes who still live their lives the same way as they did when they were 22 at 50, then it's not worth preserving.

You can claim that Las Olas doesn't have the charm that it once did, but the only place left, the Floridian, is the worst food and the worst service on the street. It's not charming; it's an eyesore and a waste of real estate.

The beach area needs some decent places to fit the new demographics of the city. We want tourists coming here and we want them to spend money. The $40 dinners generate more tips for workers, more tax revenue for the city and more jobs for people who live here. You don't build an economy by propping up some guy who has owned a bar for 20 years and doesn't have 2 nickels to rub together, just so you can save $2 on a taco once in a while.

I'm with Linn. The demise of Treasure Trove is a travesty. Just the other night, a friend who's an accomplished scientist -- not a tattooed chain smoker, though who cares if she were -- mentioned how Rudd was her first friend when she moved to town and knew no one. He's one of the rare locals who runs a place that offers a community for locals, be it Lauderdale lawyers, tattooed bikers, strippers off work, WASPY country clubbers, or journalists from Sun-Sentinel and New Times. From what I gather, the Trove is the watering whole for all walks. Unless I'm missing places after going out every night for the past four months, I'd say in this town, it's a rarity.

Let the comments begin.

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Treasure Trove

2933 SE Fifth St., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Category: Music

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Bob

Bahia Cabana, the trove and elbow room are the only reasons for locals to go to the beach.... one down.....

We quit going to East las olas when Ohara's got kicked out to build... a vacant lot... I understand higher rents for the owner but most likely it will remain vacant or have 10 more business in and out in the next 10 years. WE DO NOT WANT TO BECOME BOCA....

Use what you have first

Carlos has apparently never stepped foot into The Trove. As far as a business move, the owners have numerous other properties on the beach they have taken over and left to decay. If you want to open a place and serve $30 dinners, fine - start there first. Why leave another vacant property to generate 0 tips or tax revenue.

Donnie Duffey

Sorry to hear bout the 'Trove' up here in Phillyland. Jeff has a knack for making people feel like they belong.Except for the 'Cabana' and The Parrot and Elbo, not much going on at the beach. Don't let me forget McSorley's.

Glenn Govot

It's just not a Bar that is closing. Once again, Ft.Lauderdale Beach has made a Bad chess move. Lately for every brick they have laid out for your future, they have taken out 4. Hardly call that a foundation. It will be just another place with a sysco food menu or even better, Another T-shirt shop with no prices on the shirts . And who do think attracts the people for these $30 plates? these owners?

Mastermindgroup1

dear jeff: i wish you all the best - if anything can be done let me know dr. john wis and ca mastermindgroup1@ymail.com

Local

" The Trove" wiill be missed! It is the Army Parachute Team " The Golden Knights" bar when they visit for shows in South Florida. Jeff and everyone else who works there have the real Fort Lauderdale attitude. Layed back and no one is a stranger. The beach isn't Las Olas and it is sad another local hang out is leaving. Thanks for the good times Trove!!

John

New times is part of the decaying culture so it's not surprising that you side with keeping the holes open. I say Good Riddance.

Fat Hand

You know what else is part of this American culture? Everything in America. And of course culture has been decaying since the invention of the word "decaying".