After more than 15 years on the Palouse, local bar and grill Stubblefields will permanently shut its doors 10 p.m. Saturday. 

The business announced its closure through social media on Aug. 27.

General Manager DJ Goldfinger said the decision came after weeks of uncertainty regarding the ability of the bar to reopen safely and pay its staff. 

“It’s nobody’s fault, you know?” Goldfinger said. “This is just where we’re at in life.”

He held out hope that the bar could reopen fully at some point, Goldfinger said, but the financial situation became “overwhelming.”

“[COVID-19] happened during spring break, and you’re like, oh the school isn’t gonna shut down, the state isn’t gonna shut down, oh my God, the country isn’t gonna shut down,” Goldfinger said. “And then all of those things happened.”

Campbell Friend, WSU senior kinesiology major, said the loss of Stubby’s means the loss of high-energy parties. 

Stubby Tuesdays, which allowed anyone over 18 inside, served as stress relief for Friend and his fellow Greek members, he said. Even those over 21 could enjoy a more mature atmosphere on the other nights, Friend said. 

“They should know how much of a positive impact they had here on the community,” Friend said.

For Goldfinger, the closure hits hard. He spent 15 years mourning losses and celebrating wins alongside his Pullman neighbors, he said, and is unsure what to do next. 

“All I’ve ever wanted to do in my life is just DJ. Now I’m thinking, ‘What do I do?’” Goldfinger said. “I don’t have any clue. I don’t have any afters yet.”