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Level nightclub will be closing
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- Carli Berry/Capital News The Habitat sign has been taken down at its former location on Leon Avenue. The ownership of a number of buildings on the street has changed.

Level Nightclub announced it will be shutting its doors.

On its Facebook page, the club has announced that they’re ushering in the “end of an era as a new one begins,” though no specific plans were laid out.

“Generations have earned their stripes on this dance floor, built character at these bars. From the first Hot Dog, to the last call, legends made their names here, people like you and just like me, we built an era,” reads a post for their last Thursday on Feb. 28.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us and partied by our side. One final Thursday, as we say goodbye.”

An employee of the club said it will be officially closed March 1 and 30 people will be out of a job. It’s expected that once the business has changed hands and a renovation has been completed that some of those men and women will be employed again.

As reported last November when popular music venue The Habitat closed, a number of Leon Avenue buildings had changed ownership. There’s no indication as of yet that this is part of that change.

A BC Assessment search showed that a large swath of the 200-block being sold between May and July to a numbered company out of North Vancouver.

Habitat, which is at 248 Leon Avenue sold May 31, alongside 264, 268, 266 Leon Avenue.

Nearby, Sapphire Lounge at 238 Leon Avenue also changed hands in July. Level Nightclub, at 275 Leon Avenue, had at that time not been purchased. Also staying put is the Gospel Mission, which has had the same ownership since 1984.

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Ryan Smith the community planning manager of the City of Kelowna, at that time hypothesized that Kelowna may be witnessing the death of the nightclub.

“It will be interesting to see what happens,” said Smith. “Those nightclubs have had challenges in the last few years. The craft beer industry is cutting into their business… things are changing in the liquor and entertainment industry, downtown.”

While there are some changes one of them is simply the return of an old staple to the club scene.

Cheetah’s Show Lounge annouced recently that it will have its grand opening at its former location on Lawrence Avenue on March 1.

Several years ago the adult entertainment hotspot closed down and turned into Cake, a night-club without a stage or shower in it.

READ MORE: Properties are being grabbed up in downtown Kelowna

Cake was short-lived and the Surrey-owned and operated business continued to have a licence with the City of Kelowna but never re-opened until now.

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