The Como neighborhood is no stranger to DIY house venues. On most weekends during the spring, summer and fall, you can find a Como house hosting some of the University’s favorite local bands.

Since the summer of 2023, Pink Place has been no different. This house has hosted dozens of local musicians and bands on their backyard stage with the iconic pink house as its backdrop. 

Pink Place has garnered a lively community of music lovers and musicians for the past three years, with this summer noted as their official end. 

However, this final season nearly came to an unexpected and early end when Millennium Management, their landlord company, served Pink Place’s residents a cease and desist; a legal letter sent to an alleged culprit demanding the end of alleged misconduct or wrongful actions.

“We’ve never had many, if any at all, complaints from neighbors to us personally,” Griffin Baumann, resident and venue host, said. “We were very prepared to make it work with anyone who would come talk to us. But the complaint  went to the police, and then to our management.”

According to Millennium Management, a noise complaint was issued to the city of Minneapolis police department on June 24 regarding activities at Pink Place and their shows. Millennium Management was informed not only of a noise complaint but of the alleged sale of goods for profit, which goes against the city of Minneapolis Ordinance. 

Millennium Management public relations said the company is not opposed to tenants having gatherings as long as they are respectful of neighbors. 

“They need to follow the city ordinance, and the sale of alcohol, drugs, food, and or ticket charges for personal profit is prohibited,” the representative said.

Pink Place volunteer Maeve Seymour said alcohol or drugs have never been sold on the premises of Pink Place. However, they noted the sale of merchandise and food.

“It’s like any show you go to where bands are selling t-shirts, merch, stuff like that,” Seymour said. “We tried to offer a space for local artists to have a place to share their art.”

To save the venue for its final three shows, a petition was posted to the Pink Place Instagram page asking supporters to sign a form. The petition was intended to make their landlord recognize the importance of this venue and the community they have fostered.

To the surprise of both Pink Place residents and volunteers, the petition garnered mass attention and support. Baumann said they recalled the petition receiving 1,345 signatures in less than 48 hours.

“The biggest thing the petition did was show that we are not disrupting around here,” Baumann said. “A lot of the people who commented on it are our neighbors and people who live nearby who are very happy with what we do.” 

On the petition website, around 50 comments were left by supporters of Pink Place, sharing their memories and admiration for the venue and those who operate it. 

“I live four houses away, and the shows here have brought nothing but joy to my entire household,” a commenter said. “When I can’t make it to a show, I go out onto my porch and dance with my cat (he likes the music), and venues such as this bring nothing but vibrance and joy to the Como community.”.

With the community’s support, negotiations between Pink Place and Millennium Management led to a removal of the cease and desist and an approval for the venue’s final three shows — provided that no illegal activity occurred on or in connection with the property.

Seymour said Pink Place has always felt like a positive force in the neighborhood.

“I think now more than ever, we need safe, fun community space where people can create together and have fun together and protect one another,” Seymour said. 

While Pink Place will serve its final bow on Aug. 2, the legacy of Pink Place may carry on. Baumann shared his aspirations for the future of Pink Place and a possible return as an official venue location.

“This is something me and some of my other roommates have realized might be what we want to do with our lives,” Baumann said. “We do hope to eventually own our own building and have an actual space. We would love to make a real venue someday.”

Correction: A previous version misspelled Maeve Seymour’s name. The correct spelling is Seymour.