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Revision as of 19:44, 1 February 2008
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2008) |
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (January 2008) |
The Paddock Club was a popular dance/night club located at 1008-B Dickinson Avenue in Greenville, NC which catered primarily to the gay and lesbian community of Greenville and all of Eastern North Carolina. The club was in operation for 30 years and 6 months from June of 1973 until December 23, 2003 and was, at the time it closed, the oldest continuously operating GLBT club in the state. After the December 2003 closing, the club reopened for one night for a final farewell party on January 31, 2004.
When owner Bill Brock[1] decided to turn his Country Western Nightclub into a gay club in 1973, he took a great personal and financial risk. At that time there was nowhere East of Durham for the LGBT community to gather socially without fear and Bill decided that needed to be changed. The first night after the change Bill greeted his members at the door and told them The Paddock was now a gay club and that he would be glad to refund their membership fees if they were no longer interested in coming to the club. Many accepted his offer, a few did not.
The Paddock encompassed approximately 5,000 square feet including the main club room where the dance floor and stage was located, a mezzanine level overlooking the approx. 30 ft wide stage, a large pool room which doubled as a back stage area, a spacious outdoor patio area, a full kitchen, DJ booth, storage and office areas.
The Paddock was known for its weekly drag shows which featured top performers from around the state as well as the Paddock's house cast.
The Paddock Club was the birthplace of the Miss Gay North Carolina America Pageant which is an official preliminary to the Miss Gay America Pageant. Also born at The Paddock Club was the Miss Greenville America Pageant, a preliminary pageant to Miss North Carolina.[1] After Miss North Carolina was sold to new promoters and moved to Durham and eventually on to Charlotte, Miss Greenville remained a yearly event at the Paddock Club for 25 years. The Miss Greenville pageant was known for its elaborate sets, production numbers and quality of contestants and was the most award winning pageant in the Miss North Carolina system.[citation needed]
As a gay club, it was a surprise when in 2002 Playboy chose the club as "best place to meet chicks". Friday nights' drag shows drew a large number of straight men, making it a good night to mix.[2]
In December of 2003, Brock made the decision to close the club. The end of a multi-year lease was approaching and by this time Brock was in declining health. There was also a new club in town and this made Brock content that there would be a place for the community to go. On the night after Christmas of 2003, the Club Manager took the stage after the show and made the announcement that it was the last night the club would be open.
The staff decided there really should be a party for the patrons and all the staff from over the years. So it was decided that the doors would open one more time for a final farewell extravaganza and this took place on January 31, 2004. The club was filled to capacity and former bar staff, patrons and friends all gathered to say goodbye. The bartenders poured out the remaining bar stock throughout the evening free of charge and the entertainers put on a heartfelt performance while a slide show of images from over the years was projected on the club's screen under the mezzanine.
Since closing, the Club has been replaced by an apartment building, also called the "Paddock Club".[3]
References
- ^ "Miss Greenville America Pageant". Accessed 1 February 2008.
- ^ Peter Dawyot, The East Carolinian, 20 November 2002. "ECU ranks in Playboy party school list for first time". Accessed 1 February 2008.
- ^ Rudolph Bell, The Greenville News, 20 October 2007. "Another developer plans apartments for The Point". Accessed 1 February 2007.