San Diego Music Venue to Close Down; Long Pandemic Shut Down Leads Music Scene's to Final Curtain

By Jess Smith First Posted: May 28, 2021 12:58 PM EDT

The iconic music venue in San Diego closed its doors to the public permanently, joining businesses that shut down its operations due to the pandemic.

The music venue LeStat's West will be lowering their curtains for the last time. The iconic venue's owner John Hustler shared that the venue did not survive the restrictions brought by the global health crisis.

According to NBC San Diego, Hustler wished that there was more interest in the venue. He stated that artists have great interest in the music hall and his heart is with them. But Hustler said that audiences are not as big as they used to. He added that the audience is no longer excited compared to before.

Meanwhile, LeStat's started 35 years ago when Hustler opened up the LeStat's coffee shop located on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. After having a five-year good run, the LeStat's coffee shop had its extension, a theater next door called 'LeStat's West.'

Moreover, Hustler found great success in his business and eventually opened two more LeStat coffee shops. His first expansion was located in Hillcrest and another one in University Heights.

The stage was known to be a place where artists wanting to start their music careers to hone their talents. Grammy winners like Jason Mraz have also performed in the music scene several times.

Hustler also hoped that there would be another place where music can find its home because he thinks that the closing down of LeStat's also took a part of the music culture with it.

Back in March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, LeStat theater already closed its doors, however, it was just recently announced that it will never re-open.

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One Curtain Closes, Another One Opens

Despite the closure of one of San Diego's most beloved music scenes, a new music venue is also set to open. The outdoor venue of San Diego Symphony is found on the shore of the city enclosed with shell-like structures that would hold a precious gem - music.

The outdoor venue initially broke ground in 2019, however, it was put into pause when the pandemic hit in 2020.

In a statement, CEO Martha Gilmer stated that the idea of the music venue has been in the works for the past 17 years. She also added that development started in the seven years that she was part of the symphony, San Diego Magazine reported.

Gilmer also stated that they aim to create wonderful experiences for those who will witness the performances in the said venue.

The San Diego Symphony's outdoor venue was designed by Greg Mueller, who owns Tucker Sadler, a local architecture firm. It was designed with a curved steel frame both pleasing to the eyes and would also enhance the quality of music.

The new venue which would showcase San Diego's music was described as Gilmer as different from any other music venue in the U.S. She also stated that aside from its unique location along the water, San Diego deserves a music venue that could be lined up with venues like Boston's Tanglewood, and the Hollywood Bowl.

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