Did you know that The Paddock Club was not always a gay club? The Paddock, in fact, started as a country-western night club. In 1973 owner William "Bill" Brock decided it was high time that the gay community had a place to gather without fear. In July of that year Bill greeted his members at the door and let them know that henceforth The Paddock would be a gay club.
At that time, there was nowhere East of Raleigh for members of the GLBT community to socialize without fear. It was a great personal and financial risk for Bill to make this move in Eastern NC back in 1973, but he did. Times were tight in the beginning, but Bill persevered and thanks to that hundreds if not thousands of people had a place to call a home away from home for over 30 years.
The Paddock Club had stood for years as an oasis for the community but in December of 2003, Bill made the difficult decision to close the club after almost 30 years and six months of operation. The club was nearing the end of a multi-year lease on the building and there was competition from a new club down the street. These factors combined with Bill's declining health and the knowledge that there would still be a place for the community to gather ultimately led to the decision to close, and so on the evening of December 26, 2003 the announcement was made that it was the last night the club would be open.
At the time the club closed, it was the oldest continuously operating gay club in the state of North Carolina. The Scorpio Lounge in Charlotte now holds that distinction.
After closing in December of 2003, the club reopened for one night for a farewell party in January of 2004. The club was filled to capacity with former patrons and staff and of course Bill was there. Many Miss Greenville's were in attendance and put on a great show. A tribute slide show was also shown including images from over the years. This party provided a wonderful memory of The Paddock once again bursting at the seams with people.
At that time, there was nowhere East of Raleigh for members of the GLBT community to socialize without fear. It was a great personal and financial risk for Bill to make this move in Eastern NC back in 1973, but he did. Times were tight in the beginning, but Bill persevered and thanks to that hundreds if not thousands of people had a place to call a home away from home for over 30 years.
The Paddock Club had stood for years as an oasis for the community but in December of 2003, Bill made the difficult decision to close the club after almost 30 years and six months of operation. The club was nearing the end of a multi-year lease on the building and there was competition from a new club down the street. These factors combined with Bill's declining health and the knowledge that there would still be a place for the community to gather ultimately led to the decision to close, and so on the evening of December 26, 2003 the announcement was made that it was the last night the club would be open.
At the time the club closed, it was the oldest continuously operating gay club in the state of North Carolina. The Scorpio Lounge in Charlotte now holds that distinction.
After closing in December of 2003, the club reopened for one night for a farewell party in January of 2004. The club was filled to capacity with former patrons and staff and of course Bill was there. Many Miss Greenville's were in attendance and put on a great show. A tribute slide show was also shown including images from over the years. This party provided a wonderful memory of The Paddock once again bursting at the seams with people.
Bill on the patio with Elite Chansan, MNCA 1982
