Real estate deal threatens Finale

I'm a little late on this one, but Post-Dispatch business columnist Joe Whittington had an item last week about a pending real estate deal that poses a threat to Finale Music and Dining in Clayton:

NO FINALE YET: Steve Schankman says it's too early to count out his music and dining club Finale, located at Clayton on the Park, 8025 Bonhomme Avenue.

The building's owners are teaming with Sunrise Senior Living to convert residences to senior living.

One office wag has suggested it could come to booking a version of Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians for a tea room in the space.

"I'm always looking," said Schankman. "First, their deal has to close, second, we have to work out a deal to vacate, and then we have to find a new place. We're booked until the end of the year."

Bob Saur's Conrad Properties, which is redeveloping Clayton on the Park, has proposed the new arrangement.

"Until it's finalized, I'm always looking for opportunities," said Schankman. "And as far as senior audiences are concerned, our Sinatra show is a hit, and we do have some shows that attract senior audiences."

While Finale's current space admittedly is less than ideal, due to the huge structural columns that block the view of the stage from some parts of the audience, the club's closing would be an unfortunate blow to the local jazz scene. Here's hoping that Schankman and partners will either work out a deal to stay if the building is converted, or find a new location with better sightlines.

(StLJN hat tip to Terry Perkins for calling this to my attention.)