Save The Pinhook! Since Forever!

In 2008 The Pinhook was born out of the void left by the closing of Bull City Headquarters, and from the lessons learned from that project. At that time, Bull City Headquarters was the only DIY, all ages, multi-use public space in Durham. Those of us who poured our hearts and time into that project did not want to see that energy evaporate. Alongside two other co-founders, I opened the Pinhook on West Main Street with the vision of running a bar, music venue, and open space that was economically sustainable and available to host events and fundraisers based on our community's vision and needs.  Between the three original founders and owners, we divvied up the numerous responsibilities of running a venue, event space and bar based on what we were already good at and wanted to focus on. One person ran the promotional aspect and another was in charge of our bookkeeping, while I focused on the booking of events and shows. We were all novices and learning as we went along, eager to prove we could start up a downtown space as young folks with no business degrees or investors. Eventually, I took over the job of promotions after one of the original owners left.  After five years another co-owner left to pursue other interests and I bought the business outright in 2012. Today, I am the only original founder and owner of the Pinhook, though it is home to a number of staff members and collaborators who have been around since the beginning.

As someone who has been part of a queer music community for over ten years here in Durham, I’ve tried to make music and run a business to the best of my ability.  It has also been vital for us to remain a part of downtown while retaining our identity and integrity as a queer owned space.  I am a twenty percent owner of the building we occupy, which came to fruition through angel investors who really believed in what we are doing.  I was hoping this purchase would secure our existence in downtown for the next ten years, but then we found out about this overwhelming tax debt.  

A few months ago I received an email from a former owner who was responsible for the accounting at The Pinhook for the first five years of operation. They informed me that they miscalculated our finances over those years and had never paid sales tax.  Ever.  I was floored to learn that  as a result we owe $80,000 in back taxes. When I purchased the business from the last co-owner three years ago, I did so under the assumption that everything was running smoothly.  Having no idea about this massive oversight in bookkeeping, I purchased The Pinhook with a debt that was around three-quarters of the purchasing price, which I will be paying off for the next seven years.

But in the last three years since purchasing the Pinhook, this space has become home to even more musicians, crafts people, artists, and activists that remain dedicated to expanding the possibilities of what a modest venue and open event space can look like. We have had little turnover in our staff —with some of our sound tech, door people, and bartenders having worked here upwards of six years. With the closing of venues like BCHQ and The Casbah, the Pinhook remains the only medium sized cap room for local and national performers in Durham. We also recognize the importance of allocating funds to artists.  Our house costs are as low as we can possibly make them, and we give performers 100% of the door after our expenses. Our bartenders and staff work for modest wages, and all have to hold down other jobs in order to sustain working here,, though all of us envision a day when we are successful enough to pay everyone a living wage.  We hope that day comes soon.  

In just one week at the Pinhook you can experience: a free Open Mic showcase featuring Durham hip hop and R&B artists; a trivia night that has been going strong for six years; the monthly ILLEGAL dance party that continues to provide a platform for young DJs and designers to perform with internationally recognized artists; shows from touring artists across the music spectrum who identify with the values this club upholds; monthly movie screenings; and a wide scope of benefits and fundraisers, such as the annual Girls Rock NC camper showcases, the speaking tour by recently freed political prisoner and former Black Panther Party leader Eddie Conway, and legal fund benefits for activists in our state. The Pinhook also often converts into an open workshop or meeting space in our downtime before shows or on days where no events are planned.  So holler. :)

We were thrilled to start a business in 2008 because we were passionate about music, queer spaces, and our community. Due to accounting and clerical errors made by our professional accountant and our bookkeeper, The Pinhook now owes upwards of $80,000. The state demands that we pay this sum back in one year, which is impossible for us. At this point, the only way to stay open is to turn around and ask our community for help.  

This is where you come in. Downtown Durham is changing fast, and while we hate that we are now considered one of the “older” businesses downtown—knowing how much has come before us—we want to be a part of the spaces and people in Durham that still want control over how this place transforms and what it looks like in ten years. If you want the Pinhook to remain a staple downtown, if you want to still have access to an events space that’s open for all ages and can host free events, if you need support with your own fundraising efforts, if you’re a local musician who needs the boost to get their start here, if you live downtown and just don’t want to see one of the only spaces of this kind left in Durham disappear, then share this ask with like minded people. It’s hard for us to reach out because we would much rather be raising money for all of the important work going on in this community, but we are doing so in the spirit of mutual aid. We are aiming to continue as a business that operates as a community space and serves the Durham that we know and love in the midst of a dramatic economic and cultural shift.  If you can, if you are able, if you feel that it’s important that we stick around, please help us.

With love and hope,

Kym and The Pinhook Crew