Tripper’s closes

Frandor bar shuts down after 27 years of business

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THURSDAY, May 26 — Frandor bar Tripper’s closed its doors permanently yesterday evening.

“We would like to thank the thousands of Team Members that have worked for us these past 27 years,” said a sign posted by owner Steve Tripp. “Tripper’s wouldn’t have been the same with out you.”

The sign also thanks the bars regulars and their families.

“We’ve celebrated together, with family and friends (…) we’ve laughed together, played games and drank martinis,” Tripp wrote.

Tripp, who opened the Lansing bar 27 years ago, said he could no longer make the financial side of the operation sustainable. Business was booming a few years ago when the bar hosted popular charity poker tournaments, but changes in charity poker regulations forced him to cut down from six tournaments a week to two. He estimates the changes cut his weekly clientele by over 60 percent. He tried to fill the void by adding an on-site comedy club, but it was not enough to keep the business afloat.

“We’re very proud of our contributions towards keeping comedy in Lansing with the Comedy Zone and Joker’s Wild,” Tripp wrote, “As well as the excess of 5 million dollars we’ve had a part in raising for charity.”

The restaurant’s assets will be auctioned off in the near future. Tripp expects that the building, which he does not own, will be up for sale.

Shelly Olson contributed to this article.

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