Bellingham's all-ages music scenc may get a little more competitive for musicians now Fantasia Espresso and Tea has closed. Fantasia was the only other live music venue for all-ages in Bellingham other than Whatcom All-ages Arts and Music (WhAAM), a non-profit organization.

Aaron Bel Cher, former Fantasia owner, said the previous owners, the Bjorklund Sisters Inc., will reopen the space located at 1324 Cornwall Ave. in a different name sometime next week.

Bel Cher had to close Fantasia July 1 because it was not making enough profit to stay in business. Bel Cher took over the business in March 2007. Before Bel Cher, there was no live music at Fantasia.

Bel Cher said he wanted Fantasia to be a place for all different types of music.

"That’s the only reason why I got the business in the first place," Bel Cher said.

From the start, Bel Cher started having live music at Fantasia Monday through Saturday, with open microphone nights on Friday. Bands from all over Washington, California and even Norway played shows, Bel Cher said.

With the majority of local bands being under age, Bel Cher said he wanted to provide a safe, drug- and alcohol-free environment for musicians to play at and for anyone to hear music.

"You don’t have to have booze there to enjoy shows," Bel Cher said.

Fantasia also provided a venue for musicians without the restrictions of other venues such as bars or WhAAM.

Bel Cher said underage bands who play at bars have to sign contracts and leave immediately after the show.

Being limited by these restrictions makes it difficult to get practice with their stage presence, Bel Cher said.

Bellingham High School sophomore and guitarist of the band "Yes We Are" Gordon Friedman said Fantasia was the first place his band had a show.

Friedman said Fantasia’s closure will have an impact on the all-age community. He was concerned bands would be discouraged from playing shows and many may have to revert back to their garages he said. Friedman said bands still have the option to try to get booked at WhAAM, but WhAAM did not provide the freedom that Fantasia allowed.

Friedman said bands have to submit music and sign contracts in order to play at WhAAM. At Fantasia, bands just had to ask Bel Cher if they could play a show, Friedman said.

Katie Rismondo, WhAAM volunteer coordinator, said it was discouraging to see Fantasia close. Rismondo said that WhAAM has a tough time scraping by every year with its own funding.

"It shows us what a slow period can do," Rismondo said.

WhAAM faces a high volume of more than 300 MySpace and e-mail inquires a month to play at the venue, and has to choose bands wisely, Rismondo said.

Because the existence of WhAAM depends on cover charges, bookers must book bands they think will bring in a good crowd, Rismondo said.

Most of all, the sense of community will be missed about Fantasia, Friedman said.

Friedman said Fantasia was a popular place to hang out.

Bel Cher often brought his music and guitars, taught people how to play and just jammed.

"Music did a lot for me growing up," Bel Cher said. "I wanted people to learn music."

Robert Huston, the coordinator of Poetry Night, said Poetry Night will continue at the same location for now.

Bel Cher said he has offered to organize live music for free for the new owners.

Bel Cher said he still wants to stay involved with the all-ages music scene and would like to volunteer for WhAAM.

"If you want to do live music, I’ll give this town something and keep it going," Bel Cher said.

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