The End of an Era at the Crystal Palace
Bakersfield, California, is mourning the closure of one of its most iconic landmarks, the Crystal Palace. This beloved venue, known for its rich history and cultural significance, has officially shut its doors after more than 28 years of operation. The decision comes following a long period of being on the market, with the Buck Owens family ultimately choosing to close the establishment.
The Crystal Palace, which opened in 1996, was more than just a concert venue; it was a dinner club and museum that served as a tribute to the late country music legend, Buck Owens. The final event took place last weekend, featuring a two-night Buck Owens Birthday Bash with his son, Johnny Owens. However, just 36 hours after the event concluded, the news broke that the venue would be closing permanently.
Jim Shaw, the keyboardist and business manager who has been part of the Crystal Palace story since its inception, shared his thoughts on the closure. He described the process of building the venue as a long and exciting journey. “We had a lot of brainstorming,” he said, “and then broke ground in ’94. Spent two years building it. So it’s been a long process. Very exciting and satisfying and now sad.”
Over the years, the Crystal Palace hosted some of the biggest names in country music, including Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam, and Merle Haggard. Many of these artists performed there before they became household names. Despite its success, the venue struggled to recover from the impact of the pandemic, which marked the beginning of its decline.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Shaw explained. “We listed it for sale almost 13 months ago. And although we’ve had interest, nobody is pushing the button. The Owens family has decided, OK, let’s just go ahead and we’re gonna have to go dark after almost 29 years as possibly one of the top country venues in the world.”
Rick Kreiser, a long-time supporter of the Crystal Palace, expressed his deep sense of loss. He has witnessed the venue’s impact on the community as both a patron and performer. “This Crystal Palace has been such a bedrock of culture in this community,” he said. “It fostered the Bakersfield Sound, it brought Buck back to life when he built it in ‘96. People have come from all over the world to see it, to visit, to eat there, to enjoy the fabulous shows. It would be a shame to lose it.”
Despite the closure, the Crystal Palace remains on the market, and there is still hope for a sale. “We’re hoping that that happens,” Shaw said. “I think there’s a good chance that’ll happen.” The venue offers unique opportunities for potential buyers, including access to memorabilia and naming rights, which could help preserve the legacy of Buck Owens.
The closure of the Crystal Palace has also resulted in the loss of 60 mostly part-time jobs. However, four previously scheduled events will continue as planned, including two private parties and two Guitar Masters concerts, one of which is set for September 11. It is important to note that the kitchen will not be open during these events.
As the community reflects on the end of an era, many are hopeful that the Crystal Palace will find new life in the future. Its legacy, however, will remain a significant part of Bakersfield’s cultural history.
