The nightclub’s official Twitter account hints at the story: The Xscape Lounge, one of just a handful of nightclubs in downtown Durham, has changed hands. “So to all the new followers of the @TheXscapeLounge, we appreciate y’all and value your business. #UnderNewManagement,” reads a recent entry.
Frank White, owner of the building at 119 W. Main St. in Durham, also home to the MarVell Event Center, has, via court order, seized the business from his former tenant because of tardy rent payments.
That tenant, Parker Holdings of Carolina LLC, was ordered evicted from the building in August by a Durham district court judge. Court documents allege Xscape Lounge owner Anthony Parker failed to submit the monthly $3,500 rent payment.
A sign on the door reads that the building has been padlocked by order of the Durham County Sheriff. According to court documents, it wasn’t the first time Parker had issues with the rent. In May, White, who owns the club property and the attached space that houses the MarVell Event Center, complained that Parker had missed a previous monthly rent payment, the court documents state. But at that time, White rescinded the order to lock Parker’s group out of the premises after Parker later paid the rent in full, plus court fees.
As for the latest eviction, neither Parker nor White could not be reached for comment.
