Students long for GVO, PrimeTime

The popular nightclub GVO has been closed since last summer. Photo courtesy: Jazmin Mackey

We’ve come to expect a lively nightlife scene in Tallahassee. The capital city is the home to three colleges, and every club generates lots of attractions and revenue off students.

But things have changed in the past year. The ratio of students to clubs is disproportionate, and student options have been deeply impacted by the closures of GVO and PrimeTime.

GVO [Good Vibes Only], located on Railroad Avenue at Gaines Street, was a club students often visited. Their Taco Tuesdays, GVO Thursdays, and various weekly themed events were a “go-to” for countless college students.

The location alone made it quite favorable to FAMU students as many could walk there from campus.

“As a freshman, walking to GVO with my friend group was a great memory of mine. These new classes of students are missing out on a staple part of being a Rattler,” said FAMU student-athlete Terrell Jennings.

Without notice a “No Trespassing” sign was posted on the entrance to GVO last summer, stating that anyone who entered the premise would be treated as a trespasser despite their affiliation, owners included.

GVO opened in September of 2017 and quickly made its mark. Founder of Only A Few Entertainment, a lifestyle brand and promotion group, Jullion Griffin was deeply affected by its closing. “Hosting events at GVO always brought in a large crowd. People were eager to attend parties at this venue due to its great atmosphere and reputation as a place you would never leave disappointed,” Griffin said.

Not all nightlife spots have maintained a reputation for a consistently good time, so losing a venue like this negatively affects college students in  Tallahassee.

PrimeTime is — make that, was — another popular venue students are now without. Although it’s a restaurant and lounge the events hosted there would have a line wrapping around the building. Their happy hour deals made PrimeTime a favorite for many along with the option to dine inside or on the outside patio.

There aren’t many Sunday brunches or day parties in general in Tallahassee. Going to brunch at PrimeTime was practically a weekly routine for students. “Graduation weekend was not the same without the Primetime brunch,” said December FAMU graduate Jewel Crouch. “All grads looked forward to wearing their stole and drinking mimosas graduation weekend.”

The closing of these two businesses has left students with fewer options in an already low variety nightlife. Tallahassee is a college town and these three schools need more options to satisfy the wants of its students. College is a stressful time and students deserve fun and dynamic options where they can unwind after a long week of exams and studying.