Old Toad’s New Hat Trick

The Richmond, Va., venue formerly known as Toad’s Place is being resurrected as the Hat Factory this fall, with the help of two concert promoters and two ticketing veterans.

Owners Mark Thompson, Pat Dickenson, Travis Janovich and Ben Wingrove are partnering in the 22,000-square-foot venue that will contain a restaurant and host national, regional and local artists.

Thompson and Dickenson own and operate promotion/production company Ultimate Entertainment and Raleigh, N.C.’s Lincoln Theatre. Janovich is the founder of Etix, while Wingrove is VP of sales.

“It’s exciting to work on a project back at home,” Richmond native Wingrove said in a statement. “I grew up here and learned to love music here. We know this going to be an extremely challenging project, but we are going to try really hard to provide a great atmosphere for a show and an evening out.”

The 1,500-capacity Toad’s Place closed in March and its owner filed for bankruptcy protection in June, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The Hat Factory, located in Richmond’s historic Lady Byrd Hat building, will debut as a music venue Sept. 11 with the BoDeans. Cowboy Mouth, GNR tribute band Appetite for Destruction, Pat McGee and David Allen Coe are also on the books.