The property owner of Rich's Nightclub, the Midtown dance club about to celebrate its 29th anniversary this fall, has locked out his tenants, who had been running the club since October 2011, and terminated their lease.

Nassim Joseph Jr., Managing Member of 2401 San Jacinto, LLC, confirmed to Rocks Off that he was now seeking new management for the club, saying the previous tenants had defaulted on their lease. The above photos, which say that Rich's is in default and has been locked out, were sent to Rocks Off by Shea Serrano, the now-former Nightfly columnist whose final column ran this week. (They were sent to him by someone who saw the notices in the window and asked to remain anonymous.)

Joseph said that his tenants, whom he declined to name, were "operating inappropriately."

He said he has someone in mind to take over the lease, who he hopes will "change the tone of people's impression" about the club. Joseph said he did not know exactly when the new management would take over, but he hoped it would be as soon as this weekend, and definitely by next weekend.

The TABC is meeting in Austin about the club's liquor license right now, he added.

Once the new tenants are in place, Joseph said he hoped to do a "great renovation" in time for Rich's 29th anniversary in October.

Rich's Twitter account (@RichsNightclub) has been dormant since Tuesday, although a little less than a day ago someone there retweeted Rocks Off's review of DJ Ferry Corsten's show this past Friday.

The club's longtime Web site, www.richsnightlife.com, now redirects to www.4500washingtonave.com, which bills itself as the "newest addition to the Washington Avenue Strip... every night will surprise you."

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