Junction Closing

Junction Bar and Eatery announced it will be closing its doors, but not until one grand finale to be held September 22.

Edmonton's gay community was saddened to learn that one of its newest, and oldest, watering holes would be closing for good. Deborah Chymyshyn and Tracey Smith, owners of the junction, announced that their landlord was gutting the building and that they had no choice but to close. The announcement, made on Facebook, prompted an outpouring of community support and affection for a space that many had been drinking and dancing at for years.

The junction, which celebrates its second anniversary August 11, came into being in the summer of 2010. Boots had been a gay bar at the 106 St location for many years when it closed its doors without warning. Tracey and Deborah, owners of Prism at the time, took the opportunity to move into the larger space, a space where "we can all be together and enjoy good food, drink and each others company. It is a place where we can remember who we are and how far we've come, celebrate this time in our lives, and build a strong community "together" based on respect, acceptance and love.".

For many people, that vision came true. It is with sadness that circumstances have brought to an end 40+ years of Edmonton gay history. Deborah and Tracey wll be closing the eatery on August 31, and then in the few following weeks, there will be many LASTS, last wing nights, last karaoke, last country night, last drag shows, and one last party on the 22nd: a last chance to remember, reminisce, celebrate, and say good-bye.