With Summer 2024 winding down, what are your thoughts on the new Memories nightclub on Amherst Ave in Margate?
Keely Stahl, The Geator Jerry Blavat’s beloved life partner shared her thoughts about the new ownership and management of this legendary dance club.
Blavat was 82 when he passed on January 20, 2023.
Keely Stahl on Facebook: I’ve seen a number of complaints about the new Memories and I understand how disappointed you must be when the safety and enjoyment that Jerry so carefully curated and maintained for 51 years is being compromised.
The most helpful thing I can say is to let the new management know about the problems you’ve been noticing that make you not want to go to Memories anymore.
Teddy Sourias’s (Memories new owner) intention when taking over was to honor what made Memories such an enduring success under Jerry’s care.
From what I’ve been told, he’s not always there to observe some of the things that I know he wouldn’t be happy about.
But he’s a classy guy like Jerry and he can be reached, and I believe it would be a big help to him if you could make him aware of your concerns and about the kind of things that now keep you from frequenting Memories more and having it be one of your safe and happy places again.
He has a Facebook page under his name, Teddy Sourias, and you can send him a private message. I’m sure he would welcome respectful comments. He’s a person of finesse and I believe he wants his staff to have that quality as well.
Please let him know about these lapses and maybe he can do something about them.
Also one more thing to remember is that the demographic of the new Memories is not the same as Jerry’s.
You should not expect the oldies all the time – it is and will be a club catering chiefly to younger people.
Note: Teddy has dedicated Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon/evenings at Memories to the Geator crowd.
Keely Stahl.
Social Media Comments:
Scott: I really hate to say what I’m about to say, but Jerry’s music is what we love, and Memories was Jerry’s, as much as we would like it to continue I don’t believe it will, our dance music will eventually just fade away, along with our dances, it’s a shame, but it’s the young people in which they cater to now, new owners, new people, and more money to be made. Jerry will remain in our hearts and in our souls, when you hear his music put on your dancing shoes and get down with the gogo, feel the music and just groove.
Rosemarie: Saturday night is a disgrace. Over crowded, dancing on tables and drinks on the dance floor. Someone is going to get hurt! They need bouncers to stop all that. When we were dancing Sunday we noticed how warped to dance floor was from all the drinks spilled and air condition leaking.
Jill: They need big burly security bouncers like Jerry had to keep the young people in line ! And when they are in line waiting to get in a couple big bouncers out there controlling their behavior !
Candace: The line is wrapped around the building. I’m definitely not standing in that ! And the average age is probably 21-25! It’s just so different. I haven’t gone all summer .
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Geatorafterhours
The Geator After Hours Facebook group was created by Keely Stahl in August 2021 as a place for Jerry Blavat’s fans to stay in touch after the Memories in Margate season ended. Now that the Geator has gone home permanently, we have united in permanent remembrance of him. Please click JOIN to become a full member and feel free to invite your friends who have been part of the Geator’s history as well as new ones who have yet to discover the riches he gave us musically and otherwise.
I did not like the old one so I am sure the new one is just an overpriced, over-hyped, over-rated place that these out of towners love to flock to.
Bring back a place like Maloneys.
SMH.
I spent many Saturday nights at Memories but always knew when it was time to leave. Music changed. Youngins came in. Jerry adapted to the crowd and that was wonderful. I went there once this summer to view the Jerry tribute wall. Things change as we lose people. We miss you Jerry!
I agree. As long as there is time for us older dancers and our music like jerry played and the looch. Then all is good. There is room for all of us! However, I agree no dancing on the tables (there is no need for that)and bring back the bigger bouncers and no drinks on the floor.
Just keep everyone in control and we all will still have a lot of fun there.
I used to live a few blocks from Memories for over 45 years. Never a problem when Jerry had the club. He ran a tight ship. Things have changed in Margate, especially the people. The town is not the same anymore. Very sad of what it has become.
Very sad what it turned into. Used to be fun. Not much noise and not very late
Should have picked a better buyer. This guy just wants money. Management just doesn’t respond
FYI. It’s the locals. Not out of town