Popular Salem Pizzeria and Music Venue Closes It's Doors

"It is with a mixture of sadness and relief that we are announcing that we will be shutting the doors of Lefty’s forever after tonight’s show with Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes," owners Karen and John Graham said.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A popular downtown Salem pizzeria and music hot spot abruptly closed it's doors Saturday night.

The owners of Lefty's on State Street annouced the closure on their website. Karen and John Graham opened the pizza parlor and music venue, popular with blues and jazz musicians, in 2003.

It is with a mixture of sadness and relief that we are announcing that we will be shutting the doors of Lefty’s forever after tonight’s show with Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. If you are free tonight, we’d love the chance to say goodbye in person. If you can’t make it just know that we appreciated your support in the past.

It isn’t without a lot of forethought and reluctance that we came to this decision. Lefty’s has been a labour of love; a love of music, culture, people, and a desire to bring something fresh and fun to Salem. We have had many “magical” musical moments at Lefty’s that will never be forgotten!

To our patrons and loyal music fans, we most gratefully want to tell you how much your love of Lefty’s and appreciation of the music gave us constant encouragement to keep it going. Your seats will forever have your names on it.

Finally, tonight is meant to be more of a wake than a funeral. Come ready to have one last celebration.

The Lefty's pizza parlor on Commercial Street, owned by Travis Lewin, will remain open.

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Tim Kelly September 7, 2022 7:11 pm (Pacific time)

Best blues club in the history of Oregon. Duffys Hanger a close second.

Mark Thompson October 29, 2008 4:16 pm (Pacific time)

I was the owner of straight SFNY who sold the original pizzeria on liberty ave to the Grahms ; and found them to be stand-up people , with with alot of drive and creativity .John is a marketing guru and all im asking , is that people don't be so judgemental, unless youv'e been in their shoes as a buisness owner you don't know *@!^ it !

Anonymous February 26, 2008 3:13 am (Pacific time)

I do believe they closed due to illegal employer practices, hence the abruptness and lack of any reason as to why they closed. They were known for paying employees under the table and trying to make them work off the books.

Sorry Salem October 8, 2007 8:20 pm (Pacific time)

Goodbye to a breath of fresh air in a town filled with the most boring and unappealing venues for almost a hundred miles. No wonder they're leaving. They must be tired of the musty smell of Salem.

Dan October 8, 2007 1:21 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks to the Grahams for many years of great entertainment. Mitch Woods and the Rocket 88s, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, John Koonce. I'd like to think someone will take up the space and keep a nightspot at that location. The Grahams made Salem a better place to live. Thanks.

Kent Salem October 8, 2007 12:29 pm (Pacific time)

Who would put their home address on a press release?? I saw it in the paper, the reporter should be fired.

Neal Feldman October 7, 2007 8:39 pm (Pacific time)

I missed the address thing... was it on their release? If not I agree, possible major liability if angry ex fan act on their feelings. Ah well...

Sally in Salem October 7, 2007 5:19 pm (Pacific time)

Did anyone see that the SJ reporter that did this same story online gave out the address of the owners!! How lame can that paper get before we all take a stand and say goodbye to those terrible reporters down there. What if that wasn't the right address or what if they are on vacation and someone breaks into their home. Hope you have insurance SJ.

Phil in Salem October 7, 2007 5:17 pm (Pacific time)

Dan AMEN!! Salem is sooo lame. No gut anymore, no REAL nightlife, city council that is "lets build as many homes as we can, and if we can't fill them oh well, and Delta??? Need I say more. I bet a major economic blow is coming soon.

Dan in Portland October 7, 2007 3:55 pm (Pacific time)

Salem should have seen this one coming, this was THE ONLY good music venue in town, it was ahead of its time, no wonder this lame city did not take care of it or reward its existence. Anybody who knows music knows that they brought bands in who would not have come to Salem otherwise, and probably will not again. Thanks for the years you have been here. Geez, Salem is lame! Is this the same place I hear about from the 1970's? We had huge bands then, people actually thought Salem was something less than a conservative breeding ground that defeats and throws away the things that matter in the name of business development. Glad I decided to live in a real city, Portland, after growing up there. Now I won't be visiting Salem to spend money and hang at Lefty's, God bless you guys.

Neal Feldman October 7, 2007 11:06 am (Pacific time)

Been there a couple times but I just have to wonder aboutthe abruptness. Businesses, especially those open for years, do not usually just close without warning like that. Also I wonder about the employees and the acts that had booked there. I'm no contract lawyer but you usually have to pay groups you cancel on with too short of notice. I presume the employees did not exactly get 2 weeks notice either. Not sure why such a business would fail since Salem is not a small town and it is not like there are dozens of similar businesses. Unfortunate all around. Ah well...

Dave Salem October 7, 2007 8:54 am (Pacific time)

So sad, yet not surprising that another Salem business has closed it's doors.

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