A Stardust Farewell

In October of 2023, Mark Burgess and I, Louie Michael, sat down and talked about a concept and an idea Mark had — a place that would be a destination for everyone, but with a special focus on those who remembered the days of the Great American Songbook, dressing up to go out on the town, enjoying a classic cocktail and dancing the night away.

We envisioned a place that was classy, vibrant and had the feel of the Art Deco era. It had to have a stage big enough for our Big Band, plenty of dance floor and an atmosphere that made you feel like you had left town and entered a place where you could forget your cares for a few hours.

And that's how The Stardust came to be.

Mark provided the financing for the project, and I agreed to run it as managing partner. Mark's wife, Debra, put together our classic cocktail and food menus and helped decorate the room. My Pattie showed up many nights to help me host and make everyone feel welcome.

For months, we had an incredible Big Band — The Stardust Orchestra — playing every weekend night for the people who came to dance, drink and enjoy themselves.

Some nights, especially when we were first getting started, they played to chairs and tables that sat there empty. Whether there were 2 people, 10 people or 30 people in the room, those talented musicians played with the same class and professionalism as if there were 1,000 people sitting in front of them.

And then there were our fabulous vocalists who were such an important part of the Stardust sound.

It truly was an amazing group of people.

We were also blessed to have some incredible bands come through our doors — bands of all kinds. Some very memorable nights were those with regular favorites like Travis Scott & The Playboyz, The Detectives and many others. Every group brought something special to the Stardust.

From the very beginning, we also met a couple of people who had an idea that became a very special part of what we were doing — “Dance Hosts.” The idea was simple: have people there who would dance with those who came alone or simply didn't have a dance partner.

Their names were Happy and Kathy.

Both of them have become as much a part of the Stardust as any of us. They came to countless dances, Kathy taught dance, and together they hosted their own social nights at the Ballroom.

Happy and Kathy, thank you for helping make the Stardust what it has been — a great place to dance, laugh, socialize and be entertained.

I also want to say a very special thank you to Kylee.

Kylee started with us on Day 1 and worked with us serving our guests until this past spring. She was a very important part of this place, and we are extremely grateful for everything she did.

We had several others who worked with us serving our guests over the years, and each of you was appreciated more than you probably realized.

Bryan Lawson was my go-to sound and technical guy — someone I knew I could always count on. For that, Bryan, I am grateful. Thank you!

We had others help in that role at different times as well, and I am grateful to every one of you.

And then there are the regulars.

People like Mark's mom, Bonnie, who showed up night after night.

There are so many of you who came through those doors again and again. You supported us, visited with us, danced with us, hugged us, encouraged us and became friends.

Please know how much that meant to us.

We never got into this because we thought we were going to make a lot of money. That was never really what it was about.

We hoped we could at least break even, but what we really wanted was to provide a safe, happy and special place for people who wanted somewhere to go — a place to dance, listen to great music, enjoy a drink, dress up a little and leave their cares behind.

Unfortunately, after the City did not renew our liquor license, we have found that it is simply too difficult to continue operating as a public venue in the way we envisioned.

For those who may not know, there is a 200-foot buffer requirement in the City for liquor licenses, along with a requirement that certain businesses demonstrate $50,000 in food or merchandise sales. We were given more than a year to meet that requirement, but we simply weren't able to reach that number.

We could have tried to get creative with the numbers, but that isn't who we are. We wanted to operate honestly and do business the right way.

Because we could not meet that requirement and our location is within 200 feet of another restaurant holding a liquor license — even though that restaurant does not sell alcohol — our license was not renewed.

So, after a lot of thought and a lot of emotion, we have sold the business.

We are excited for the new owners and their concept. They will have an opportunity to open under a new concept and pursue a new liquor license, and we sincerely pray that it works wonderfully for them.

We plan to close next week and begin wrapping things up at The Stardust.

But before we do, there will be one more opportunity to gather together.

Happy and Kathy's Dance Friends will be holding one final social at what is still The Stardust Ballroom on August 26, 2026.

Stay tuned for the full invitation, but we hope you will come out, see us one more time, say goodbye, share some memories and sign our big Stardust backdrop.

I don't know exactly what everyone will remember about The Stardust.

Maybe it will be the music.

Maybe the dancing.

Maybe the cocktails.

Maybe a special night with someone you love.

Maybe the friendships.

For me, I will remember the people.

The people who walked through those doors and helped turn an idea into something real.

The Stardust was never just a building.

It was the people inside it.

On behalf of Mark, Debra, Pattie and myself...

Thank you.

Thank you for believing in us.

Thank you for supporting us.

Thank you for dancing with us.

Thank you for the friendships, the hugs, the laughter and the memories.

And most of all, thank you for making The Stardust what it became.

God Bless you all.

— Louie Michael