Union Street Station Closing February 28, Ending 134-Year Run

Union Street Station is ending a 134-year run in downtown Traverse. The local institution, which first opened in 1892 and bills itself as "downtown's oldest bar," will have its last day February 28.

Business owner Christina Thompson confirms to The Ticker the bar at 117 South Union Street will shut its doors at the end of this month. "Yes, we are closing," she says. "It's not our choice." Thompson said she plans to post more information on the closure Thursday night on the bar's social media account. The Thompsons don't own the building, which is listed to 117 S Union LLC. That LLC lists a mailing address on Center Road connected to Robert Guyot B III Trust. Guyot could not be immediately reached for comment.

The J. Hawkins Band, which is performing this Saturday at Union Street Station, said in a statement that the artists "were informed yesterday that this mecca and shrine to live music will permanently close at the end of February. We are honored to grace this stage one more time and to celebrate the history of all the great artists that have played here. Join us Saturday to honor and start the long goodbye to celebrate all month long here! Union Street Station, it will be at times emotional, but we will give the stage what it deserves and rock all night."