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Iconic downtown nightclub Flashbacks will become just that, a flashback.
Memories will be all that is left of the Kelowna club that operated on Ellis Street for the last 27 years, as it closes its doors for the last time this weekend.
Originally owned by Billie Shepherd until 2004, when Lonney Weber decided to try his hand at the nightlife business.
Weber had never even stepped foot into the bar before taking it over.
He says at the time, Flashbacks was geared toward a 25-plus demographic.
“Thursday nights were the band nights and bands would be brought in here, Friday night and Saturday night were the dance, DJ music and rock. And Saturday there would be a lineup out the door,” said Weber.
Back when Shepard owned the club, big names were brought to town, such as Bachman, Colin James and the Jerry Doucette band.
“Lady Gaga was here, 54-40, Default, too many good ones too count,” said Webber of his time at Flashbacks.
Last year, Flashbacks was renovated to entice a new crowd and reach a larger demographic. The original dance floor has been replaced but remains in the same area with the same layout it’s had for 27 years.
“Maybe change things up, bring people back,” said Webber of the reno. “We tried to bring back the old dance on Saturday night, with rock music and top 40 and live music on Friday.”
But the renovation wasn’t enough to turn back time to the good ol' days of line-ups and dance crowds to full capacity.
Weber says the nightclub scene in Kelowna isn’t what it used to be.
“There is one club left on a Saturday night that is popular, and they are probably, I am just going to guess, but not as busy as we ever were,” he said.
He blames the downfall of Flashbacks on the change in nightlife in Kelowna — lounges and restaurants with extended hours, DJs after 10 p.m. and small areas that turn to dance floors to keep people there after their dinner.
“Nightclubs have been around for so long, I think nightclubs will turn around and come back again,” he said.
Weber says Flashbacks has been a good trip, and when asked if he would do anything different he replied: “Hindsight is yes and no.”
Flashbacks will feature Chingy Friday, May 27, at 10 p.m., while Saturday will be the official goodbye party.
Weber hopes some of the original Flashback night crew will return for once last dance on the floor.
