Mesa's Monsterland to Close Next Weekend

By Benjamin Leatherman Wed., Jan. 9 2013 at 2:26 PM

Categories: News

Benjamin Leatherman

For sale to a good home.

"We were not getting anywhere near the amount of people compared to October or May, June, or any month," she says. "We were nowhere near hitting the numbers we needed to hit to sustain this business."

Since its remodel, Monsterland hosted a number of costume parties, geek events (like a recent Doctor Who celebration), and goth/fetish-oriented events that seemed to mesh well with the establishment's theme. Those weren't enough to shore up Monsterland's bottom line, she admits.

Gangemi also says that Monsterland's owners don't have any plans "to abandon the nightclub side and operate it strictly as a haunted house during the profitable Halloween season.

"We'd love to see someone who's in that field come and possibly take over both the bar and grill and the Monsterland [attraction] itself is concerned, but, no, there are no plans at this point in time. It wouldn't make sense to go back to that as far as the owners and their investments are concerned."

They are however hoping to sell of many of the props, monsters, and creatures that decorate the property, should anyone have a burning desire (and plenty of cash) for an life-sized werewolf or swamp creature in their living room.

Gangemi says a "final hurrah" and costume party (natch) is planned for January 19, and will offer DJs, dancing, drink specials and a chance to do the "Thriller" dance at midnight.

"I'm sure everyone will be crying as they're doing the 'Thriller' dance one last time," she says.

Monsterland's Farewell Party takes place on Saturday, January 19. Admission is free.

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Monsterland

18 W. Main St., Mesa, AZ

Category: General

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66rock

No surprise here. Location, location, location.

RedCode

3 Like

Monsterland had the axe coming. To preface my tirade, I LOVED THIS PLACE! They could have gone SO FAR... with so many missed opportunities! They had an easy open for nabbing up the Mesa Happy Hour scene but that they considered their happy hour pricing competitive was HORRIFYING; it paralleled that of a private venue or amusement park. When an order of chips runs $7.50 in downtown MESA you've got to wonder what the owner is thinking, besides dollar signs (half off that for happy hour is still almost $4 bucks for friend POTATOES). I happened upon a PBR specially priced at $2.50 (I actually think it was higher) I knew they were really out of touch with what is competitive. Mesa did not need a Rainforest Cafe. The private parties seemed awesome and the night club situation seemed viable and that's where you can charge those outlandish prices. I hope a chain with some know how like Dos Gringos, Valle Luna or ZIPS picks this monster ball up and runs with it... so much potential seemed quashed by poor venue/restaurant management.