Sad news about a purple landmark...

First Avenue nightclub closes
Famed Minneapolis rock club First Avenue closed suddenly Tuesday.

The club has been the subject of a management dispute for some time, but the message on the club phone appears to show the staff were caught unawares.

"Hi. Thanks for calling First Avenue and the 7th Street Entry. As of right now, we are closed due to bankruptcy. Hopefully, we will be up and running soonish. There will be ticket refunds, I believe. So we are very sorry to anyone who bought tickets who were coming to the club for any reason," the message said.

Staff members say owner Alan Fingerhut declared bankruptcy. All staff were handed pink slips and the building padlocked. Last week, a court settlement seemed set to transfer control of the club to former manager Steve McClellan, who Fingerhut fired earlier this year.