History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin - Businesses - Bars and Clubs

 
Trading Company
Location: 304 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire WI

Opened:
Closed:

September 1995
1997
Clientele:

Male/ Female
Bar/ lounge/ social

 
       
 

Trading Company was opened by Vern Knox on Labor Day weekend of 1995.

Within the year (by April 1996), Trading Company had three floors of bar space. It had combined with the Stage Door Cafe next door, running 12 hours a day on weekends between the two, using the Cafe as an after-bar space. (See article in Quest magazine volume 3-05, page 9, below.)

Vern left in July 1996 and the bar was taken over by new owner Wayne Marek. Then in January 1997, Wayne opened another bar, Scooters, one block away. For a time the two bars advertised together, in at least one case calling the other a "sister bar". But in December 1997 ads for 'Scooters' no longer mentioned The Trading Company, and we believe Trading Company had closed by that time.

More information about this business is welcome from anyone who can contribute same.

Column: Northwest Wis. News
(Quest vol 3-03, Feb. 1996)
 
Column: Eau Claire update
(Quest vol 3-05, April 1996)
 
Advertisement: Miss Gay Wisconsin Show
(Quest vol 3-17, September 1996)
 

Advertisement for Scooters opening
(Quest vol. 3 #24 - Dec. 1996)
 
Article about Scooters opening
(Quest vol. 3 #24 - Dec. 1996)
 
Advertisement: Drag shows
(Quest vol. 3 #26 - Jan. 1997)
 

Advertisement, Absolute Drag
(Quest vol. 4 #2 - March 1997)
 
 


Remodeling advertisement
(Quest vol 3-05, April 1996)
 

Credits: web site concept, content and design by Don Schwamb.
Information on Eau Claire bars contributed by V.K..
Last updated: February-2021.

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