TempleLive Venues Go Dark in Cleveland and Beyond

Entertainment company TempleLive has begun to shutter the venues it operates in Cleveland, Ohio; Peoria, Illinois; Wichita, Kansas; and Fort Smith, Arkansas.

On the outside:

• TempleLive began in 2014 when Beaty Capital Group (BCG) acquired the Masonic Temple in downtown Fort Smith.

• It expanded to other locations, operating in repurposed Masonic buildings.

• In an interview with Talk Business & Politics, BCG CEO Lance Beaty explained that small and independent venues are at a financial disadvantage following the consolidation in ticketing, venue ownership and the agencies who represent artists.

• He told the publication: “We are simply an outsider in an insider’s business. No matter how much money you throw at it or how creative you think you are, if you’re not on the inside, you’re not in.”

• Beaty also cited the impact of COVID, which forced their venues – including their Cleveland operation, into which they’d invested more than $8 million – to close during the pandemic.

The future:

• As per Talk Business & Politics, Beaty says he is pursuing options to keep the TempleLive doors open and satisfy creditors.

• The publication notes, however, that pressure is mounting, with Helena, Arkansas-based Partners Bank last week filing a complaint seeking repayment of a $1.5 million credit line.

• Cleveland.com reports that shows by Sparks and Waxahatchee that were scheduled to take place at TempleLive’s Cleveland venue have been moved to other rooms.

• It also states that, at the time of going to press, Ticketmaster has halted sales for some shows at the venue.