Monty’s Korner, the low-key pub on the corner of Alexander St. and East Ave. in ROchester, NY, is facing a crisis that could see its doors closed forever.

in addition to normal lease rate increases, the owner of the property has instituted a punitive “common area maintenance fee” on all the tenants of the building (not just the bar) that effictively doubles the rent. If things stand as they are, the Korner will have no choice but to close its doors.

This means that the Korner’s sister bar, Monty’s Krown, will be in grave danger as well. The Krown is not much of a moneymaker and depends on the Korner, but it is a social haven to many, including musicians, artists, business owners and IT guys; the “non bar-scene” bar.

This really sucks. I’ve known some of the staff of these two bars for over a decade, as friends and publicans. I remember when the Korner’s original owner died, and the staff worked for free to ensure the survival of the two bars. These aren’t nightspots or meat markets. These are homes.

I have no idea if the Korner has any legal recourse. I’m kinda hoping some of you blog readers might. Any advice, left as a comment or emailed, would be appreciated. Not just by me, but by Katy, Jen, Leslie, Kim, Sarah, Liz, Liz, Tom, Brian, and the rest of the people who’ve given a lot of themseleves because they loved going to work among friends.

-Mark