by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Investors are close to signing a lease that would put a new nightclub in the first and second floors of The Warehouse at 315 E. Bay St. by June.
Occupying approximately half of the 20,000 square-foot building, owner Julia Suddath said the South Beach-themed club, tentatively known as The Orchid, should be able to build enough momentum to handle Super Bowl-crowdsin early 2005.
The club, which would join jazz club Eclate in the Bay Street Town Center, is a partnership between Daryl Strickland, owner of the Darryl Powers Salon & Spa in the Plaza at Berkman, and Josh Duke.
Details, including renderings, operating hours and staffing are expected to surface in the next few weeks, though sources confirmed a liquor license is being pursued.
Suddath said a jazz or blues club was looking into leasing the top floor of the 94 year-old building, but recently said the bottom levels provided better access and visibility.