No Union?

So the big news out of Athens, OH. right now is the rumored closing of longtime music venue stalwart The Union.
First off: Finally, I got to use the word "Stalwart."
Secondly: This does not look good, people.
Aside from a few Ohio University venues, The Union was pretty much it for a music fan to see new indie rock bands down in Athens.

Of course, right now it just seems like a rumor. Sometimes bars close their doors for a bit when they are dealing with liquor permit discussions, or perhaps some renovations. But who knows. If it's 100 percent true, then it looks like you may not be seeing these upcoming shows:

Mar 14 2008 10:00P
DEAD WILL RISE CD Release Party
Mar 15 2008 10:00P
EVA DESTRUCTION & THE OHIO COUNTRY OUTLAW BAND, WHEELS ON FIRE, CASUAL FUTURE
Mar 26 2008 10:00P
PEELANDER-Z
Mar 29 2008 10:00P
KINKS TRIBUTE SHOW
Apr 3 2008 10:00P
NIHILITIA + SPACE6OY
Apr 4 2008 10:00P
SKELETON WITCH, MOBILE DEATHCAMP, BLOODWOLF, GOODBYE GOATS
Apr 5 2008 10:00P
TIMES NEW VIKING, THE KYLE SOWASHES, MACHINE GO BOOM
Apr 17 2008 8:00P
BLACKOUTFEST
Apr 18 2008 8:00P
BLACKOUTFEST
Apr 19 2008 8:00P
BLACKOUTFEST


I just noticed that the dude behind Athens-based Insomniac Booking wrote this:
Last night was the last night to purchase a beer from my home away from home. i drank as much as i could.
story goes that the place wasn't making enough money - i plan to organize with interested parties to buy the property - i feel there are enough people in this town and not in this town who care as much as i do. if you are please message me. as soon as all the dust settles and stories are straight, i plan to purchase the property with anyone who can help.
I was actually wondering about what would happen to the booking agencies down in Athens before I read this. With no swapping options to put national bands into The Union they would pretty much be screwed. Hopefully he can buy the place with some other folks.

EVEN BETTER UPDATE, WITH ACTUAL INFO, from Union booker and former PWAH interviewee Scott Winland:
Just wanted to drop a line to everyone - I recently went to SXSW in Austin, (last Tuesday) and returned to all of this yesterday afternoon - an interesting homecoming to say the least... At any rate, I have some good news (though not a complete press release on all this just yet). Although The Union has been forced to close temporarily this week for some restructuring/re-staffing, all shows scheduled for the weekend are still happening, and it is my intention to honor all shows in the books. Though the ultimate future of the bar is a bit uncertain at this point, we can breathe a sigh of relief that we're headed in the right direction. That wasn't the fat lady singing on Sunday night, and she's not booked this weekend either. Your support of the Union and the continuation of its shows are greatly appreciated.-Scott