T-Bombs purchased and closed, to be demolished
Laura Butler
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News
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The local nightlife hot spot served as a First Street landmark for 30 years, providing live music and cheap drinks - a constant favorite for several generations of Eastern students.
T-Bombs received several "Best of Richmond" awards from student polls in past years, including recognition for "best bar" and "best live music venue."
But after struggling with problems such as noise ordinance violations from the city and the death of her husband and former owner, Viviane Billings said she had to come to grips with reality and sell the bar.
And Billings and her co-owners sold it to the tune of nearly half a million dollars.
Michael Eaves and Ed Worley, managers of The 1st Richmond Company, LLC, became the new owners of the building on Jan. 29, paying $450,000 for the 10,400 square foot property.
Eaves and Worley purchased the majority of the other buildings on First Street within the past two years for a sum of around $765,000. The buildings were demolished several months ago and are now being reconstructed into a building complex that the city has agreed to lease as a home for Family Courts.
T-Bombs sits just north of the complex construction area.
While Richmond's property valuation records list the property's value at $110,000, Eaves said location played a big factor in the price they offered Billings.
"Downtown property is a little unique. It's not like going to buy an acre somewhere outside the city - a lot of times you're buying a business," Eaves said. "Most of the time (the building is) occupied, so they feel like they're selling their business and we're only buying it to close. You're closing it and tearing it down. That's the nature of the animal."
Eaves said he and Worley have no plans to add the space onto the courts projects, though.
Billings said the construction process for the family courts project was a big driver in selling T-Bombs.
She had leased the bar to tenant Kerry Aldridge and the closing of First Street made it difficult for him to keep up with the rent.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 14
Rick
posted 3/03/10 @ 11:42 PM EST
I love how the story portrays Viviane as a victim. The soap opera behind this story would make for good reality TV.
Ken
posted 3/04/10 @ 12:50 PM EST
My friends and I had a lot of fun on First street (and other downtown Richmond spots)from 1980-1984. With the closing of T-Bombs, all the college bars we used to go to back in those days are now gone. (Continued…)
Disappointed
posted 3/04/10 @ 3:46 PM EST
Another sad step in demolishing anything with personality or character in Richmond. Instead of remodeling and retaining something historical, we eliminate anything that may give us an identity. (Continued…)
Not Surprised
posted 3/04/10 @ 6:00 PM EST
I can see the smirk on the new owners' faces right now. I wonder what else they will buy and demolish. Maybe the commission will consider selling city hall to them to help balance the budget. (Continued…)
Editer
Editer
posted 3/04/10 @ 9:14 PM EST
Sad
Of all the bars on First Street when I was an EKU student from 1979 to 1983, and for several years after when I was a reporter for the Richmond Register, T. (Continued…)
Lance Yeager
posted 3/04/10 @ 9:41 PM EST
Clearly these guys do not have Richmond's best interests at heart. They've done nothing but purchase and tear down historical buildings downtown. They are robbing Richmond and its residents of the town's character. (Continued…)
Sue Freakley Cady
posted 3/05/10 @ 7:00 PM EST
I was a frequent customer of T. Bombidils in the late 70s. It was "the place" where my friends and I would meet up and hang out. Being a Lord of the Rings fan, I loved the name and Dave (the owner) and I had several conversations about the character Tom Bombidil. (Continued…)
Paul English
posted 3/16/10 @ 2:56 PM EST
Went back to Richmond last April and the entire city is a shell. Not sure what the kids do in Richmond anymore, but it is clear that things have changed forever. (Continued…)
Jessica
posted 3/18/10 @ 10:56 AM EST
Kids don't stay in Richmond anymore...EKU's party days are dying. We're a suitcase college. It is truly a sad thing. T-Bombs will be missed. I'm glad I got to see it in my hay day. (Continued…)
Terry
posted 4/09/10 @ 11:25 PM EST
I also attended EKU long ago 1983-1988. My friend and I, also an EKU Alumni were there the day T-Bombs was being emptied. It was really sad. I actually met my wife in O'Riley's Pub which has long since passed with J. (Continued…)
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