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WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A popular Worcester cigar bar is closing its doors after 14 years of operation due to recent flood damage.
Michael's Cigar Bar opened in 2009 at 1 Exchange Place in the city's Central Business District. Last month, heavy rains flooded the building's basement, causing extensive damage to electrical switchgear and the boiler system.
In a message posted on the cigar bar's Facebook page Friday, managing partner Mark Esperti wrote that power to the building was shut off and there were extensive and expensive challenges to have the power restored. Esperti also noted that the owner of 1 Exchange Place had received approval to turn the property into residential units "at some point during the next 12-18 months or so."
"As a result of this flood, the landlord has elected to terminate all current commercial tenancy in lieu of making the expensive repairs to turn the power back on," Esperti wrote.
Esperti added that Michael's will close down and vacate the premises. The establishment is searching for a new location in Worcester and will be hosting a "tent sale" soon to clear out inventory.
According to the Worcester Business Journal, two other commercial tenants at 1 Exchange Place--escape room company Live Action Escapes and criminal defense and personal injury law firm Aloise & Wilcox--will be moving to new locations.
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