The Camp looking for new place to settle

Since opening in 2001, The Camp has been one of the best spots in town to watch local music, whether it be big crowd-drawing bands or less established, newer bands. But soon The Camp, located at 701 N. Main, will be no more, at least in terms of its location.

Bob Camp and Rick Werner opened The Camp four years ago after seeing an ad in the paper for the property. Since then, Camp has focused on booking bands and Werner dealt with the bar. However, lately their partnership has gone afoul.

"My partner [Werner] owns the license and he made arrangements with other people for private parties, frat parties and fundraisers on nights we had music," Camp said.

There are also problems with what is going on at these parties, Camp believes. "They're charging people to get in and there's little rein in terms of controlling what's going on," Camp said. "I've worked hard to establish a place where everyone can feel comfortable and have fun. [Partygoers] might get angry, and people start to fight. You have to be set up differently to deal with that."

Werner cites different reasons for the ending of their partnership, however.

"He didn't have anything booked on those nights," Werner said of the nights he was using to book parties. "When he would they wouldn't make enough to pay the air-conditioning or the heat."

"He hasn't done anything with music in six months, you can't have [the building] closed," said Werner. "You can either have a zero night or a $2,000 night. You know, take your pick."

Despite these problems, both Camp and Werner plan on staying in the business of local music.

"It will be a music facility," Camp said of the next location he hopes to be in. "I've looked at four different possibilities; I might even leave the state. I've talked to other folks [about openings] or have just inquired through the grapevine."

Camp also said that he has talked to the owner of the property where The Camp is located to see if he can lease the building if Werner doesn't renew his lease.

But Werner doesn't plan on going anywhere. Wednesdays and Thursdays will be designated for fraternities, although these nights will still be open to the public, and local music will continue to be a feature of his business.

"I have someone else that I've talked to and she'll be doing the same thing," said Werner. "We'll still have bands. It'll be just like it was before."

If Werner still plans on booking musical acts, though, it leaves one wondering why the partnership between himself and Camp would need to be terminated at all.

"It's personal," said Werner. "It's him not me."

Camp is still thankful for the opportunities he has had working with Werner, however. "I'm dissatisfied with the current situation, not access to the facility. [Werner] gave me an opportunity no one else gave me," said Camp.