13-06-2025
Introducing ‘Centennial Hall' – Lavery Brewing Company buys Basement Transmissions property
Basement Transmissions has been a hub for Erie's local music scene for years, and now the venue on West 11th Street is under new ownership.
Jason and Nicole Lavery, owners of Lavery Brewing Company on West 12th Street, bought the property this week, which is just a two-minute walk away from their brewery.
'We love live music, we love the local music scene, and when the notice came up that Bob was looking to sell it, it was a very natural decision for us because it's two doors down from our brewery. So, it went for sale on a Monday, we looked at it on a Tuesday, and put an offer in on Wednesday, so it happened that fast,' said Jason Lavery, President of Lavery Brewing Company.
Going forward, the venue will take on the name of 'Centennial Hall,' inspired by the centennial hops used to brew their flagship Dulachan IPA.
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Lavery said they have plans to renovate parts of the Centennial Hall, including the floors, bathrooms, sound system and more.
'So the vision for the space is it will be a chameleon, so we might have a wedding in here, the next night we might have a punk rock show, we might have a comedian the next night, we might have open mic the following night, so the vision is to have this space be easily accessible to the whole community,' said Lavery.
But he said they also want to keep previous owner Bob Jensen's vision alive, which is to keep Erie's local music scene alive and thriving.
Lavery and Jensen go way back, having played in the same band, 'Pegasus Unicorn,' decades ago.
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'He's been doing the community such a service by having this place, having a place for musicians and artists to gather, and we hope to keep that vision alive. I think the sale going to us is like this poetic justice because me and him have been collaborating for 20 years and now it's just like one more final collaboration,' said Lavery.
Bob Jensen couldn't meet for an interview today, but he said he 100% supports the Lavery's and is grateful to have been a part of this experience.
Centennial Hall will remain open for the time being until renovations start in December.
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