The Curtain Falls, But the Music Lingers: The Fight to Save Le Petit Journal Saint-Michel

For over half a century, the intimate confines of Le Petit Journal Saint-Michel resonated with the vibrant sounds of jazz. Legends like Stéphane Grappelli, Claude Luter, Claude Bolling, Marcel Zanini, and Daniel Barda, among countless others, graced its stage, creating a haven for music lovers in the heart of Paris. This legendary jazz club, a cornerstone of the Parisian cultural landscape, has abruptly closed its doors, leaving musicians and fans alike in a state of shock and disbelief.

The sudden closure came as a blow to the music community. Musicians scheduled to perform throughout March received unexpected phone calls from Mehmet Terkivatan, the club’s owner, informing them of the cancellation of their engagements. Terkivatan, fresh from a court appearance, delivered the devastating news: Le Petit Journal had been placed into immediate judicial liquidation.

Just two months prior, Terkivatan had secured a temporary reprieve, a chance to restructure the business and salvage its financial standing. However, the court ultimately decided against extending this grace period, although it did grant Terkivatan the right to appeal the decision. His lawyer has already initiated the appeal process, clinging to a sliver of hope.

Terkivatan doesn’t deny the severe financial difficulties that have plagued Le Petit Journal. He attributes these challenges to a series of unforeseen events that struck after he acquired the establishment from its founder, André Darmon, in 2018. The period between 2019 and the present has been a relentless onslaught of adversity.

First, the "gilets jaunes" protests disrupted daily life and business operations across Paris. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing prolonged closures and decimating the entertainment industry. To add insult to injury, the club suffered significant damage due to eleven separate water leaks originating from the building’s courtyard plumbing. These leaks resulted in weeks of closure for the venue, a space capable of hosting 100 diners five nights a week.

Terkivatan had hoped for a swift insurance settlement to alleviate the financial strain, but complex evaluations and disputes between insurance companies delayed the process, further exacerbating the situation. The confluence of these unfortunate circumstances proved insurmountable, leading to the court’s decision to liquidate the business.

The announcement of the closure sparked immediate action within the music community. The prospect of a fast-food chain or clothing store replacing a venue that had hosted so many jazz legends was simply unthinkable. Alain Schmidt, a psychotherapist who moonlights as a guitarist and violinist in "The Big Blues Theory," and Jacques Benhamou, a former notary and leader of the "Five O’Clock Jazz Group," emerged as leading voices in the effort to save Le Petit Journal.

Both Schmidt and Benhamou have been performing at the club for decades, often playing one or two nights a month in the legendary cellar. They’ve entertained generations of jazz enthusiasts, from the children to the grandchildren of their earliest fans. The idea of this cherished tradition coming to an end was unacceptable.

Schmidt proposed the creation of a Foundation for Le Petit Journal Saint-Michel. The foundation’s primary goal would be to raise the funds necessary to cover the club’s debts and facilitate its reopening through new cultural initiatives. The foundation’s bylaws are already drafted and will be formally submitted in the coming days, following a meeting of the musicians involved. Terkivatan has pledged his support and plans to attend the meeting.

Having done everything in his power to keep the club afloat, Terkivatan is now ready to move on to new ventures. He has agreed to transfer the lease to the Foundation for a symbolic sum of one euro, demonstrating his commitment to preserving the legacy of Le Petit Journal.

In conjunction with the foundation’s formation, fundraising efforts will be launched to solicit donations from both individual patrons and corporate sponsors. Donors will receive various benefits, such as invitations to concerts, based on the level of their contribution.

Furthermore, initiatives will be undertaken to engage with government entities, including the Ministry of Culture and the Paris City Hall. The aim is to explore the possibility of these agencies purchasing the building and ensuring its permanent preservation as a cultural landmark. Discussions are also planned with UNESCO, seeking financial support for the preservation of intangible heritage, recognizing the unique cultural significance of jazz music.

The argument is that jazz, with its enduring classics passed down through generations, undeniably warrants recognition as intangible cultural heritage. This conviction resonates deeply with those who have dedicated themselves to this cause, driven by a passion for the music and a determination to save this iconic venue. The fight to save Le Petit Journal Saint-Michel is not just about preserving a building; it’s about safeguarding a vital piece of Parisian cultural history and ensuring that the music continues to play for generations to come.