More than two decades of memories, and a mechanical bull, will be up for auction at the end of July, 2017, at the Colorado Cafe in Watchung. Watch video
WATCHUNG - More than two decades of memories, and a mechanical bull, will be sold at auction after the Colorado Cafe closed this week.
Its owners made an unexpected announcement on Monday that the landmark Country West club was permanently closed. A schedule of dances being held in July had been posted on Facebook just before the brief post about the closing was made.
Hundreds of patrons shared memories, left notes of thanks and vented frustration at the unexpected closing, on the club's Facebook page.
A. J. Willner Auctions, based in Springfield, will auction off the club's contents at 11 a.m. on July 31. Previews begin at 9 a.m. that day.
Among the items being auctioned are:
- the club's class C liquor license
- its state-licensed mechanical bull, called Buck Off
- bar room decor and neon signs
- tables and chairs
- professional audio equipment and dance floor lighting
- glycol draft system
- commercial kitchen equipment
- and, restaurant and bar refrigeration systems
Landmark N.J. Country Western club suddenly closes
The club, opened at the end of 1994, became famous for its 3,000-square-foot dance floor, teaching thousands line dancing at the height of country music's popularity in the 1990s. It was also the first in New Jersey to offer mechanical bull rides.
The Colorado Cafe featured several bars, including the Stock Car Bar, Tequila Bar and the Buck Off Bar. It also had a restaurant with pool tables.
The Colorado Cafe posted additional information on Facebook on Wednesday letting customers know they can return unused passbooks and gift certificates with a return address for refunds by mailing them to Colorado Cafe, 154 Bonnie Burn Road, Watchung, NJ 07069.
"If anyone would like to save pictures from the page please do so now as the page will be terminated in the next few weeks," according to the Facebook post.
