New Business at Mojoes Building On Hold

Although Betsy Kuypers, partial owner of Freaksters Roadhouse in Pontiac, and former Mojoes owner Chris Triebes had come to an agreement over Kuypers becoming a subleaser for Mojoes, Triebes has since pulled out of the deal, according to Kuypers.

Kuypers said Triebes received more offers on the lease ranging between $30,000 and $100,000.

“When he was getting these offers, he was dragging his feet on executing everything we had agreed upon,” Kuypers said. “All we had left to finalize were the odds and ends stuff that he was going to leave at the building and the transfer of pre-sold ticket money to make deposits. ”

When Kuypers and her bar manager went to get some coffee in downtown Joliet, they noticed people at 22 W. Cass St., the former location of Mojoes and where The Tree was set to open.

“There was somebody there showing the building,” Kuypers said. “My bar manager and I looked at each other like, ‘What is going on right now?’”

Kuypers then called the landlord who told her that Triebes had not been communicating with them.

“At that point they have to consider it an abandoned lease and they did state they’ll meet with their attorney and with me on Monday. They have a lot of people interested in the building and they’ll go through everybody and pick who they feel is best suited for the building,” Kuypers said.

Although Kuypers is now in the running with other people for the lease of the building, she’s hopeful The Tree will still happen as she originally envisioned it. According to a press release from the City of Joliet, The Tree was scheduled to open June 13.

Kuypers said she’s still in contact with the city and Mayor O’Dekirk. The liquor license transfer was also ready to go through and Kuypers said the City of Joliet has been instrumental and supportive.

“Everything was looking very good until it all fell apart right at the end,” Kuypers said. “And it was all because of a lack of communication on Chris’s part. He was working with me well, but I guess the other parties could not get a hold of him. I needed him to continue to be a part of the venue as I would have been acting as a manager until the transfer process of the business and the liquor license was complete. It’s easy, no Chris, no deal. His cooperation was the key factor in saving these shows for the bands and the fans.”

Mayor Bob O’Dekirk said he couldn’t comment too much on the situation, but confirmed that he has been in contact with Kuypers.

“Ultimately, it’s something she’s going to have to work out with Chris Triebes and the landlord,” O’Dekirk said. “We’re going ahead and processing the liquor license application until we hear something else.”

John Bays, landlord for 22 W. Cass St. did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

As of now, all concerts planned at 22 W. Cass Street are going to be moved or cancelled. Kuypers is working on moving the shows to other venues. Those in need of a refund should contact theticketrumba.com.

Triebes decided to wash his hands of Mojoes after he was charged with multiple counts of over occupancy stemming from incidents in April and May.

“I will never do anything business related in the city ever again,” Tribes said in a previous interview.