[Updated] This weekend, the Mother-in-Law Lounge is closing for the last time. As Antoinette K-Doe’s daughter, Betty Fox, wrote:

Hello everyone first I would like to thank all of the people who have supported me since I’ve been here its been a journey some very happy and some sad my decision comes as a decision that was best for me and my family I’m not getting kicked out this is a venue ONLY ANTOINETTE K-DOE can run. Thanks to all of you, Rodney, Karen, Debra etc… Looking forward to seeing everyone sat and sun 9-5.

-Betty

This weekend, she’ll have two final garage sales Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 5 p.m., and in a way, I’m glad this story’s coming to an end. First, it has been clear that running a bar was never Betty’s dream, and the burden of keeping it alive for the sake of fans of Ernie and Antoinette was unfair to her. And, because the upstairs was never properly renovated after Katrina, she had to sleep on the couch in the bar – something Antoinette was up for, but something that should be your choice, not your obligation.

I won’t be attending the yard sale this weekend. I went to the first one and it only made me sad, not just because Ernie and Antoinette weren’t there, but because the stuff they left behind made them seem old without either of them there to bring it to life. I didn’t see Antoinette’s dynamic generosity upstairs; I saw an old woman’s belongings. Without her, her stuff seemed quaint, dated and out of touch in a way that she wasn’t. I understand those looking for something of the K-Does’ to hang on to, but I’ll stick with my memories.

Updated December 6, 11:25 a.m.

It’s not over yet. Today it was announced that there will be one final, final, final event at the Mother-in-Law Lounge Sunday from 8-midnight with music by Armand St. Martin, Guitar Lightning Lee and more, with proceeds going to Betty Fox to help with her moving costs.