State treasury officials auction off Firefly Club's assets

Michigan State Department of Treasury officials auctioned off the Firefly Club's assets today - nearly two months after seizing the jazz venue because its owner fell short on back sales tax payments.

The owner, Susan Chastain, watched this morning as about two dozen people at the South Main Street club bid on everything from posters of performers to a piano.

“It’s a shame to see it go,” she said. “It’s a home for a lot of musicians and jazz lovers. It’s been a great 10-year run, and it will be a good memory for people, I hope.

"Just because the Firefly Club is closed doesn’t mean jazz is over.”

Chastain is establishing two non-profits to promote jazz performances and educational programs, she said.

State officials seized the club Aug. 13, and Chastain had until the start of the auction to pay the money she owed if she wanted to reclaim it. But she fell short.

The club's liquor license was auctioned off; state officials said the awarding of the license is contingent upon approval by the state Liquor Control Commission.

Tools, tables, a refrigerator, wine rack and other items also were auctioned.

Chastain does not own the building, officials said.

Treasury spokesman Terry Stanton, who is barred by law from discussing specifics about the case, said the department works with taxpayers to remedy situations.

“Our goal is always to bring taxpayers into compliance and keep them in compliance moving forward,” said Stanton.

Stanton said the amount of money the auction raised won't be available today, and he would not discuss any other enforcement actions the state may take.

In August, Chastain said the club owed $120,000.

Longtime fan of the club Dick Magee of Ann Arbor was among a group of people pooling money today to bid on a piano to use for future local jazz performances. The auction, he said, made him want to cry.

“I’ve been addicted to jazz for a long time,” he said. “Susan’s a person that cared about people and cared about the music and operated on a shoestring budget and did her damnedest to keep it going.”

Several of Chastain’s friends bid on posters signed by musicians who performed at the club since it opened on South Ashley Street in 2000. It’s been at the current location since 2007.

The Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio and the late Maynard Ferguson were among the bigger names on the posters.

Paul Klinger, a cornet player for the Ann Arbor-based Easy Street Jazz Band, played at the Firefly on Fridays until it was seized. He misses the warm atmosphere and fans.

“It’s really too bad that this had to happen,” he said. “It was just a great place to play and I enjoyed the scotch too.”