The Winchester Tavern and Music HAll

Owner Jim Mileti's desire "to do what's right in the Lord'' led him on Monday to close the doors to his Winchester Music Hall in Lakewood.

(Andrew McAllister, Special to The Plain Dealer)

Jim Mileti, pictured in a 2003 file photo, closed his Winchester Music Hall because "plying people with booze is not making friends with God.''

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – After years of praying about it, owner Jim Mileti chose today to close his much-loved Winchester Music Hall.

The Lakewood concert hall he purchased in 2002 has been the site of shows by local acts from Alex Bevan to Michael Stanley to Robert Lockwood Jr. and more, and national acts like Leon Russell, Pat Travers, Colin Hay (Men at Work), Molly Hatchet, original Eagles bassist Bernie Leadon, and Leon Redbone.

“The short part of the story is I want to do what’s right with the Lord,’’ the 48-year-old born-again Christian said in a telephone interview.

“Plying people with booze is not making friends with God,’’ he said. “It’s more important to do what’s right and walk upright with the Lord.’’

Mileti, whose father Nick was the main force behind the Richfield Coliseum, has been around music all his life, having worked at radio and even for a short time with MTV in New York City.

“I don’t have any plans,’’ he said when asked what his immediate future held for him. “I’m going to see where the Lord leads me. I want to serve Him in every way possible, and do it in an upright manner.

“We’re not supposed to lead our brethren to stumble,’’ Mileti said.

“I love the Winchester,’’ he said. “I’ve been there every day that it’s been open for the last 12 years. I could’ve done this the rest of my life, happily, had I not had this conviction.’’

Mileti broke the news to the Madison Avenue club’s fans in an email announcement to the Winchester’s mailing list today. He wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he did so.

“We’ve gotten a flood of support from people,’’ said Mileti, who was traveling by car with his wife, Rebecca, when reached by The Plain Dealer. “I didn’t have any idea how people would react. I thought there might be anger. People get upset with Christians, but the artists and others have been saying, ‘We’re actually really proud of you.’’’

Mileti, who said he was saved in 2008, said the entire establishment is for sale – building, liquor license, tables, chairs, lights and sound system.

“If somebody wanted to get the place, they could be in business having concerts tomorrow,’’ he said.

Mileti, who described himself as “a motivated seller,'' said the asking price is $349,000 for the club that has been voted the best live music venue in Cleveland by Cleveland Hot List voters for five consecutive years.

He and his wife, who also is a devout Christian, are sure about the decision they made after literally spending years in prayer about it. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

“I already miss it,’’ he confessed. “Today is Day One of missing it, but I’m really anxious to start a new life in a new way.’’

What are your favorite memories of the Winchester Music Hall? Answer below.