Essex, a large music venue that opened in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts at 1048 University Ave. in the fall of 2023, is closing at the end of February, the business announced in an Instagram post.

In March, its owners, SCN Hospitality founder Josh Miles, Zach Mikida and Mack Hartman, will take over an even bigger concert space — Anthology in the East End at 336 East Ave.

In an Instagram video, Miles said, “We’ve learned so much since opening (Essex) in October of 2023, and we have loved this venue.”

However, “Anthology is a bigger and better space that holds a very important place in Rochester’s entertainment history. We are honored and humbled to have this opportunity to bring Anthology back to life and build upon its strong legacy.”

SCN also operates The Revelry at 1290 University; Bitter Honey and Velvet Belly at the Rochester Public Market; Branca Midtown in Tower280; Patron Saint at 260 E. Broad St.; and Ziggy’s, a bar and grill at 127 Railroad St.

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Whereas Essex has a capacity of 800, Anthology can hold around 1,000 people. It opened in the fall of 2015, and after temporary pandemic-related closures, shut down permanently in the summer of 2022.

It reopened this past December for back-to-back concerts by Rochester-based touring act Joywave.

Miles and his partners will be leasing the building from former Anthology operator Phil Fitzsimmons.

No major changes will be made to the physical space, Miles said. “We will be dressing it up a bit and adding some sound-dampening” in the form of theater drapery that will be relocated from Essex, he said.

The Blind Owl Band has been booked to play Anthology March 8, he said. And on March 15, the day of Rochester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Anthology will partner with Anheuser-Busch on an event featuring live music and DJs.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to [email protected]. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.