Spur East Ready To Roll

Spur East, due to open next week in East Hampton on schedule, is much anticipated by entrepreneurs already familiar with The Spur’s location by the train station in Southampton.

But the residue left over from a highly publicized venture on Hampton Road in Southampton which would have become the flagship Spur has left its scars on Ashley John Heather, the founder and developer. He complains negative press associated with a blow up between his builder and landlord unnecessarily cast a negative vibe on his vision that has cost him time and money.

“It blew up for no reason,” Heather said in an interview on March 11. “I lost three partners. It cost me $500,000, and it was all bogus.”

The Spur East opening will be a soft one, but Heather expects to build up membership quickly. “It’s a gorgeous space, cool and sexy,” he said. A membership committee of 10 hopes to bring in 100 members, merging creatives with investors in a Hamptons-based think tank.

The shared work space concept is designed to allow new business startups and potential capital partners to bounce ideas off one another. Typically, there will be coffee and beverage kiosks, a work-out space and conference rooms, with networking events, lunches and Oxford dinners held in the space.

Spur East, located at 44 Three Mile Harbor Road, will occupy a legendary space steeped in local lore. One of only two spots zoned as a nightclub in the entire town of East Hampton, it’s been known as Bananas, Laffing Stock, Kristies, Danceteria, Hurrah, The Jag, Maidstone Regional Theatre, Tsunami, Resort, Philippe Chow, The 324, Leo, Cafe de la Musique, Philippe, Sienna, SL East, Kobe Beach Club, Le Flirt, Mellow Mouth, and NV Tsunami.

The perennial restaurant/club spot was for sale at an asking price of $3.5 million several years ago. The 5000-square-foot building can accommodate a 100-seat restaurant and a lounge space with capacity for 300. Other uses for the spot include retail, office, professional services, studios, showroom, and fitness.

Cilvan Realty LLC, with principals Frank Cilione and Rick Vanbenschoten, is said to own the building.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com