Annabell's, a Highland Square and Akron music landmark, faces eviction, closure
A West Market Street lounge that's been a Highland Square landmark and part of Akron's underground music scene for more than 50 years is facing eviction and may close Saturday.
Annabell's Bar & Lounge, located at 784 W. Market St., has until Tuesday to vacate the premises, according to Akron Municipal Court documents.
Richfield Properties LLC, the owner of the property, first filed an eviction notice in January claiming that William Reynolds, owner of Annabell's, had failed to pay rent since September 2022.
Reynolds told News 5 Cleveland Friday afternoon that Annabell's is scheduled to close Saturday, but he is hoping to find a resolution with the owner.
The possible closure has stunned many of Annabell's fans and musicians.
"Annabell's was a really great and safe place that welcomed people from all walks of life, and its closure is going to be a real detriment to the local music scene," said Miles Moore, an Akron resident and musician who has visited and performed at Annabell's for over a decade. "I know it's made an impact on a lot of the musicians who performed there and the community who came to see live music and socialize.
"I think it's going to be a lot harder for local musicians to grab a foothold in Akron's music scene; Annabell's gave so many opportunities for musicians to hone their craft on stage, and honestly it's just sad to see it go," Moore said.
Caitie O'Shea, a musician and another longtime patron of Annabell's, told News 5 she is very grateful for the times she's spent there as well as the friendships she has gained over the years.
"This place is a well-loved community safe space, and I have been here in times of great personal triumph and tragedy, and I've always been welcomed with open arms and always found a support system (at Annabell's)," O'Shea said. "Personally I'm devastated — the loss to the community is tremendous, and the owners are like family.
"(Annabell's developed) a close-knit community; it didn't matter if your band was famous or nationally recognized or a touring band or just starting out, everyone was given the same shot and the same amount of respect in an environment that was very supportive."
Annabell's history stretches back decades
In 1970, Akron auto dealer Jack Cavileer opened One-Eyed Jack’s in a former carpet store with comedian Bobby Monahan serving as business partner, bar manager and emcee. The establishment advertised a “Quaint Olde English Atmosphere” and “Hot Sandwiches Served Daily!” The Danny Mazzocco quartet, the Nuff Rey Combo, organist Geno and vocalist Carol Welch were among the weekend entertainers.
Bar publicist Ann K. Pflueger took over the place and rebranded as Annabell’s by 1979. Freddie Salem bought the bar from Pflueger shortly before she died in 1991 at age 88.
Salem reopened the basement and began offering live music, mostly roots and bluegrass groups, three or four nights a week. He sold the club in 1997 to Anthony Polito, who expanded the basement, added more music nights and introduced the Monday night $2.99 steak dinner. After a few years, Polito sold to William "Billy" Reynolds, the current owner.
“Akron embraces history here a lot, especially with bars where generations have been raised in,” Salem told the Beacon Journal in 2015. “I see some of my customers who are now doctors and lawyers and they met their wives and spouses at Annabell’s.
“Annabell’s will be there for years and years to come, and after Billy’s done with it, it’ll support another family for 20 years. That’s how these neighborhood places are.”
Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com or on Twitter, @athompsonABJ. Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Annabell's Bar & Lounge music venue in Highland Square facing eviction
