Music lovers were given a reprieve when the Towne Crier Cafe reached an arrangement with its landlord to stay put until a new venue is located, owner Phil Ciganer announced. Shows are currently being booked for March and April.

With its building for sale by its owner, the music club had planned to vacate its Pawling location after February. “We haven’t been able to find an appropriate new location as quickly as we hoped,” Ciganer said. “Fortunately, we’ve been able to arrange to stay on a month-bymonth basis.”

Ciganer said he was startled by the outpouring of concerns, fond sentiments and invitations to different communities throughout the region after he announced the closing of the Pawling location in early

January. “What I heard was ‘Nooooo— please don’t close.’ This was both heartwarming and gratifying. I didn’t realize how important the Towne Crier has been to so many people. So, we’re going to make sure to keep the Towne Crier experience – great music and food – going for our fans in the interim.”

The Cafe, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, will continue to present live music three our four nights a week, plus open mikes on Wednesdays and Thursdays, until the new location is set or the building is sold, Ciganer said.

The search for a new location continues actively. “We hope to be in a new place soon,” Ciganer said. “After four decades, we intend to keep the tradition alive.”