GREENHILL LOCKS DOWN BLACKFINN AGAINST TRESPASSERS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Greenhill Realty, the owner of the building that housed BlackFinn up until this week, has locked down the building. Signs have been posted to discourage anyone who would attempt to enter the now-vacant nightclub. Such signage is somewhat unusual for Bethesda. I recall the ousted ownership of Plaza del Sol on St. Elmo Avenue complaining they were locked out of the building by the landlord. But usually, you don't see signs in the windows like this around downtown Bethesda.

Taken with the end of the month having just passed, it does suggest that the rent was not paid, and the owner(s) may have been locked out as a result. A person familiar with the ownership told me rising rent had exceeded revenue for the restaurant/bar. Everything is frozen in time inside, just as it was left at the close of business on BlackFinn's last evening of operation. Obviously, whatever decor, materials and equipment that belong to the owner(s) - well, you can expect they'd want that back.

The locksmith sign indicates a concern by the landlord that someone might even try to dupe a locksmith into opening the doors without authorization from Greenhill.