WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — KRATE at the Grove announced Thursday that it will start to charge a cover fee for its R&B events.
R&B nights are hosted from 7-11 p.m. every last Friday of the month. What used to be a free event is now a non-refundable $5 in advance online, including a $0.49 service fee or $10 at the door the day of, the shopping center said on Facebook. Children ages 12 and under get in for free.
KRATE is home to 29 different restaurants and 14 retail shops, all local, small businesses, according to its website. During R&B nights, it appears that visitors still have to pay the cover to access the available restaurants and shops.
KRATE at the Grove announced this change Thursday evening on Facebook.
"So, in order to ensure the integrity of the event, several efforts are being put in place beginning with June’s R&B Night in order to be able to continue offering a safe and clean place for all our visitors," the statement said.
R&B nights feature DJ Control and DJ Psycho playing R&B music. Everything available to visitors during the event is available during normal hours, including restaurants, shops, bars, a playground and lawn chairs. KRATE stated that it would have more activities for kids near the playground and additional R&B entertainment.
KRATE used the statement to announce plans to use R&B nights as a learning experience for how to treat future large-entertainment events.
"In return for your support, you will see some activities for kids near the playground and some additional R&B entertainment throughout the park," the statement said. "But the biggest investment will be made for traffic control, crowd flow, and safety precautions - and a slew of operational steps you won't see."
The other events that KRATE hosts, including their country nights on the third Friday of every month, appear to still be free.
The Facebook post had its comments turned off. Frequent R&B attendees expressed frustration with the changes in the comments of some of KRATE's previous posts.
One commenter, Kim Bailey, said, "...also don’t fault the patrons for coming out in massive numbers to an event by charging them a fee unless you’re gonna charge everybody a fee for every event."
KRATE accepts feedback, suggestions and other communication about their decision through its Facebook inbox.
