Moose Lodge sold, neighbors concerned

The headquarters for the Glendale chapter of Moose International since the 1920s was sold this week and though many of its amenities, like the bar, will remain, it’s unclear what kind of use the property will see in the near future.

Greg Astorian, senior vice president at RE/MAX Tri-City Commercial and a member of the city’s Planning Commission, brokered the deal between Glendale Moose Lodge #641 and Mimo Baroian, owner of the historic Famous Department Store building at Brand Boulevard and Harvard Street.

Astorian wouldn’t divulge how much the Moose Lodge ultimately was sold for, but did note the asking price was $4.5 million for the 17,950-square-foot structure at 357 W. Arden Ave. and a 25,000-square-foot parking lot across the street.

Built in 1927, the property does not have a historic designation and currently has 242 members, according to the Glendale Moose Lodge website.

It was the lodge’s leadership board that voted on selling the property, Astorian said.

But just because there’s a change in ownership doesn’t mean local members won’t have a place to mingle anymore, he said.

“The reason that they did so is so they can get into a new facility that serves the needs of their members better and, in fact, myself and my team are charged with finding a new lodge space for them in the areas of Glendale, Montrose, La Crescenta and Eagle Rock,” Astorian said.

Multiple calls and emails to the Glendale Moose Lodge were not returned for a comment.

The Moose Lodge features two ballrooms, a dining room and a lounge with a full bar.

Those amenities will be staying put, though the new owner has indoor and exterior renovation plans, Astorian said.

As for what the building would be used for, details such as whether continuing to run under a membership basis or allowing entry to the general public are still being hammered out, he said.

Rita Lilly, who lives next door to the Moose Lodge and has volunteered there in the past says the Moose Lodge typically held a few parties a month that sometimes got a little too loud.

She said she and some of her neighbors are worried those kinds of evenings would become more frequent.

“We’re concerned about a bar being open seven nights a week,” she said. “We don’t want to deal with drunk revelry every night when we’re trying to sleep.”