The Electric Pickle lives.
After a whole month of Pickle parties were moved to other downtown clubs in the wake of Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week (and some code compliance issues), regulars and casual clubbers alike started speculating about the Midtown party spot's closure or relocation.
But when we here at Crossfade spoke with co-owner Tomas Ceddia, he emphatically shot down all rumors of the Pickle's demise or displacement.
"Both are false," he told us. "We will be reopening shortly... Same location."
UPDATE The Electric Pickle's had to delay its return and move April 26's Moodymann show to The Vagabond. But the club hopes to reopen its doors sometime this week.
UPDATE #2 The Pickle has finally reopened, effective May 10, with a live show by Tone of Arc.
See also:
-Electric Pickle Closed For At Least Two Weeks Due To Renovations
-Electric Pickle Closed for Labor Day Weekend by Fire Department
-Wynwood Bar Owners Claim That Cops and Downtown Clubs Are Conspiring Against Them
Over the last two years, the Electric Pickle has closed a couple of other times to deal with upgrades. In 2011, the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue ordered repairs after finding "fire code violations." A year later, the club was shuttered for two weeks "to undergo official renovations for the upcoming season."
This time, Ceddia explains, "we underwent an inspection and were asked to do some minor electrical work. This work was on pre-existing issues from when we took over the club and had previously passed inspections.
"However, for some reason the city has been scrutinizing everything lately."
Over the last few months, Wynwood and Midtown clubs have been the focus of a police crackdown. And roughly coinciding with WMC/MMW, City of Miami cops carried out Operation Dry Hour, strictly enforcing the area's 3 a.m. last call.
On February 4, the Pickle was raided and Ceddia was taken to jail for selling liquor outside of his license. But the co-owner says the club's main reason for remaining closed is simply code compliance.
"This would have normally been a very simple issue and solved in one day," Ceddia insists. "However, the building was in violation due to an overdue 40-year structural inspection, which is the property owners' responsibility. Because of this violation we could not pull a permit to legally do the required electrical work allowing us to open."
Finally, though, the "required electrical work" has been completed. And this Friday, as announced in a letter posted to its front door, the Pickle will get back to business.
Dear Pickle People,We apologize for the closing of your beloved Pickle. Rest assured, we will open soon. Our crack team of party professionals is working tirelessly around the clock to ensure a triumphant return to the Wynwood scene.
Because we love you all so much, we're continuing to throw parties at our friends' venues in the area. All listings and updates can be found on our Facebook page. Stay tuned online for news, happenings, and the latest info.
When we return, we will be opening earlier than usual and we encourage you to come out and show support.
We can't be stopped ... We won't be stopped.
Love, The Electric Pickle Staff
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