Bridgeport to Look into Business License Procedures for Artists as Music on Main Announces June Closure
By Jeff Toquinto on May 07, 2024
A downtown Bridgeport business is closing its doors in June and, according to a post on social media, they are doing so after receiving an email from the City of Bridgeport “wanting all performers to file for a city business license.”
If they follow through on their closure plans, it will put an end to a business that saw its ribbon cut in November of 2021. The venue located on 130 West Main Street was acquired at auction by Jack and Sommer Brown in April of 2021 and has hosted many musical events, has a 
recording studio, and has served as a place to learn and practice music.
recording studio, and has served as a place to learn and practice music.
The Browns were unable to be reached via phone or social media. However, their post did state that they had “spoken to many artists in the area and this would greatly impact who would even want to come and perform here.”
Many locals, including musicians, were dismayed about the situation. One of those individuals is Greg Harrison. Harrison, who has lived locally his entire life and has performed for a little over 20 years, was disappointed to find out Music on Main was planning to cease operations. He was also disappointed to learn that a license, which is $15 annually, was required for artists playing there.
“I’ve never been asked to do pay for a license here. I’ve also never been asked to pay for a license in any other part of the state I’ve performed in or when I’ve performed out of state,” said Harrison. “The price isn’t the issue. It’s the hassle of doing it. It’s seeing a business such as Music on Main, an establishment that doesn’t serve alcohol, there are no fights and no problems the city has to deal with and they feel like they are being pushed out. That’s a bad look for arts and entertainment in Bridgeport.”
Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang said this morning city officials are aware of the concerns.
“What we’re doing is following state laws and regulations, but we’re looking into the situation and also looking at policies and procedures,” said Lang. “This is not something where you get an answer to a question overnight; you don’t get it immediately. We hope to get something out soon, but it may take a week or so to gather data.”
Another concern for Harrison is who is not getting charged and who is getting charged.
“Have they emailed other establishments? Have they emailed restaurants where people performed? I’ve played for the City of Bridgeport and was never charged a fee,” said Harrison, who thought sending an email to a business owner was in poor form and that the city should let people know through various media sources what is required.
One person that has paid the fee is Jason Young. Although not a musician or head of a band, he was charged with the fee as a performer.
Young, a city resident and an advocate for the arts who is currently the programming manager for the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center and owner of the Vintage Theatre Company, said he learned about the license requirement performing a series of murder mystery events at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
“I was charged the fee and fined for doing a performance in Bridgeport without a license I didn’t know I needed,” said Young. “We were to have only four murder mystery shows, but we scrapped the last one because I figured we could just do it elsewhere … We may come back and perform there because I do have the business license.”
Lang wanted to assure the community that the city is not ignoring the concerns, but also know that there is no clear answer to come quickly.
“What we’re looking at applies to who gets charged a license fee and who doesn’t get charged,” said Lang. “You have to dig into this. You have to consult counsel about this. You have to know what legally can be done. This is why you can’t get an answer overnight.”
Young said it would be good for all involved to let things work out. He said he hopes the city and performers – musical or otherwise that come to Bridgeport – can work together on this constructively.
“I think the question, as we move forward, is how can we take this issue and turn it into a positive for the arts community and City of Bridgeport? If we find a satisfactory answer, everyone wins,” said Young, also a board member of the Cultural Foundation of Harrison County.
