Buzzbin music club closing in downtown Canton; financial reasons, lack of support cited

CANTON – Buzzbin, a longtime music club and bar in downtown Canton, is set to close next week.

Julia (Masalko) Bentley, co-owner, said Tuesday that Buzzbin Art & Music Shop is closing for financial reasons. She said there's not enough time to pay $2,000 owed in back rent.

A lack of community support also was cited. 

Bentley operates Buzzbin with her husband, Chris Bentley. Julia Bentley said she owns 51% of the business, and her husband owns the rest.

Next Tuesday's The Queers and The Dwarves show is scheduled to be the last music show. Coleman Williams, the great grandson of Hank Williams Sr. and grandson of Hank Williams Jr., is scheduled to perform Thursday with IV and The Strange Band

Other future shows have been canceled, including the "Doomed & Stoned Ohio" two-day music event previously scheduled for July 29 and 30. More than 20 bands had been in the lineup.

Tickets pre-sold for "Doomed & Stoned" and other events have been refunded, Buzzbin posted on Facebook.

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Buzzbin cites lack of community support in closing

During a phone interview, Julia Bentley expressed both intense frustration and sadness with the looming closure.

"There's a lack of community support is No. 1," she said. 

In 2019, the couple took over Buzzbin, purchasing the venue from its founder, Mike Nasvadi, and soon after, the pandemic struck. 

"I wrote grants that got us through COVID," Julia Bentley said. "I got every grant available, but it's not enough because the overhead is too high with the lack of community support coming in."

Nasvadi opened Buzzbin in 2010 at Cleveland Avenue and Fourth Street NW that sold new and used vinyl records, original artwork and T-shirts he designed. Through multiple expansions, it grew into a concert-sized music venue with a patio out back.

Nasvadi couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday about the closure. Julia Bentley said he's the landlord of the Buzzbin property.

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The adjoining Frankenstein Records, which has a small bar area, will stay open, Julia Bentley said, noting the property is owned by a different landlord. However, she said it's her understanding that live music will not be permitted at the Frankenstein Records site at 339 Cleveland Ave. NW.

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Buzzbin formerly was located in the smaller Frankenstein space.

Julia Bentley said she hopes to reopen Buzzbin elsewhere. Possibilities include Canton, Perry Township, Massillon and Akron.

"If Canton isn't going to support it, ... then we'll move the venue somewhere else," she said.

"We need to find a place that will house music that will allow music to be played in a venue," Julia Bentley added. "And that has affordable enough rent and makes us break even, and that's all we've done."

Music-related equipment and the stage will be removed from Buzzbin prior to closing, she said.

'We are a dying breed.'

Julia and Chris Bentley posted a joint comment Tuesday in all capital letters at www.facebook.com/buzzbinshop.

"There are a million things that I would like to say, but honestly, for me, it just comes down to the music. Any bands that have shows scheduled at Buzzbin, please reach out to some of the amazing Northeast Ohio music venues around (Westside Bowl, McAlpine Meadery, No Class, Annabell's ... just to name a few of my favorites).

"... Go support those venues. We are a dying breed."

As of 12:30 p.m., the Facebook post had attracted 153 comments and 351 shares.

Local artist Kat Francis was among those commenting: "This is so unfortunate. For me, what I love and am proud of when it comes to Canton is the very obvious scene of alternative.

"Not being a native, I came here seeing a pretty 'punk rock small city.' ... This will leave a huge hole in the culture we know as downtown Canton scene, and it is a sad day for us all."

Several rock bands thanked Buzzbin for the opportunity to have played there.

Dean Biscan posted: "This is terrible news. I so hate to read this. Is it too late to try and raise some funds?? Have a fundraiser? I know there are passionate people that love this venue that would be more then willing to donate what they are good at to help out ..."

Julia Bentley said a diehard group of 10 or 15 customers at the bar isn't enough to sustain the business and pay the bills. She also said Buzzbin is about far more than beer and liquor. Music is the passion, she said, noting she's worked there 100 hours some weeks.

Buzzbin shirts and merchandise will be sold off in the days before closing; proceeds will go toward the debt.

In closing, the Bentleys said on Facebook: "Thanks to all of you who have supported the cause. Rock on. Go support independent music you idiots."

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com

On Twitter @ebalintREP