Farewell to The Loft: A small bar that built a big legacy in Flint

FLINT, Michigan — On Saturday, Jan. 18, The Loft at 526 S. Saginaw St. closed its doors after 22 years of service in downtown Flint. From 2 p.m. to well after 3 a.m., the bar filled with numerous patrons who came to party hard and get ‘lofted’ one last time. 

More than just a bar, The Loft served as a third space where community came alive. It welcomed everyone and created an environment where patrons were more than just customers but a family of regulars who came together for something a little more than just drinks.

What set the bar apart was its quiet and unassuming role as a safe space. It was never declared as such, but acceptance and inclusion were at the core over the years as the bar became a melting pot of backgrounds and stories. In this place, people of all races, cultures, and circumstances found a connection. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, you were seen, heard, and served at The Loft.

“In my years of lofting, I’ve seen it all,” one patron reminisced. “I’ve seen unhoused people come in to warm up and get a beer with no judgment. I’ve seen the young party with the old, the hood party with the bourgeoisie, and even saw a few dogs get their party on!” 

Anthony Summers | FlintsideThe Loft's owner, Rodney Ott, celebrates the bar's final night after 22 years on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.For the owner Rodney Ott, the magic of The Loft wasn’t just in its atmosphere or the drinks served but in the community it cultivated. He fostered a space where people could be themselves, laugh, connect, dance, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

As The Loft closes its doors for good, its legacy serves as a reminder of the power of such spaces in a community. It’s a call to action to nurture and cherish environments where acceptance and community can flourish, no matter the business model. 

Here’s to Rodney Ott for 22 incredible years of service and hopes for more spaces like The Loft in the future.

Scroll down to see more photos from The Loft's final night.

Travis Ricketts | FlintsidePatrons adorn official Loft merch on The Loft's final night on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Anthony Summers | FlintsideThe bar filled with people from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. at The Loft in downtown Flint on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.Anthony Summers | FlintsideA patron puffs a cigar on the final night at The Loft in downtown Flint on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.Travis Ricketts | FlintsidePlenty of hugs and handshakes were handed out on the final night of The Loft in downtown Flint on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.Travis Ricketts | FlintsidePartygoers fill The Loft in downtown Flint one last time on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.Anthony Summers | FlintsidePlenty of hugs and handshakes were handed out on the final night of The Loft in downtown Flint on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.Travis Ricketts | FlintsidePartygoers fill The Loft in downtown Flint one last time on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Anthony Summers | FlintsideOne of many toasts at The Loft in downtown Flint on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.