Stash's Closes After 27 Years In New London

Businesses in New London have a tendency to come and go but the recent closing of one local business took many by surprise. 

Stash's, the bar and restaurant that had been a mecca for live local music since 1986, closed its doors on Wednesday, November 29. Just two days before, the club had been advertising the band Alter Ego on its Facebook page and inviting people to come down for "the biggest night of the year."

The next posting was the far more somber: "Wednesday evening was the last night Stash will be open. Thank you for your patronage."
 
Like a lot of news these days, people heard it first on Facebook. The simple posting included no explanation and had many regulars wondering what happened. The club had changed hands and was under new management in 2012. So far, however, there's been no answer to the many postings of "Why?" and the phone to the club has been disconnected. 

So, for now, all we know is that this New London institution will be missed by many, from the EB and Pfizer employees who stopped by for happy hours after work, to the bikers whose Harley-Davidsons used to line the parking lot, and the many music lovers who depended on Stash's to always have great bands and plenty of people on the dance floor.

Here's a sampling of a few of the things people are saying on Facebook:

• "Wow can't picture NL without Stash's!!" 
• "this is sad news, Stash's has been great to local bands for many years and we all appreciate it and will miss this great venue, thanks for so many great gigs"
• "Wow ya after how many years with the same name? Not too many can say that"
• "Too bad - great place - tons of memories & history"
• "DAMN will miss Stashes !"
• "I am so very sorry to hear that. So many great memories there, thank you!"
• "We will miss Stash's. Sad news. Maybe someone can take it over and revive the place once again."