COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Coeur d'Alene business owners are demanding accountability after the failed "Live After 5" summer concert series, even as the city moves forward with a new 2025 concert series under new leadership.
Several business owners remain frustrated, arguing they were scammed by the event operator, Tyler Davis of Davis Enterprises Inc.
Davis Enterprises had a contract with Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation for several years to produce the "Live After 5" series. At least seven restaurants signed on as vendors and told NonStop Local they lost significant revenue when the weekly concerts did not take place.
Parks and Recreation told NonStop Local that the city's agreement with Davis began on March 21, 2023, and was set to run through the summer of 2027. However, the contract was terminated after Davis Enterprises failed to meet deposit deadlines outlined in the agreement.
The businesses, which claim they were scammed by Davis, say they have yet to receive refunds after spending thousands on deposits to participate in the series. They also argue the city has not done enough to assist them. In response, business owners met Tuesday night at the Backwoods Bar to strategize ways to hold someone accountable.
Concerns about Davis resurfaced following a Feb. 4 city council meeting, where the Coeur d'Alene City Council approved a five-year agreement with Koep Concerts in the Park to organize the summer series.
Davis attended the meeting and spoke during public comment, urging the council to delay the agreement and instead offer him an alcohol concession deal for the new Koep concert series.
"You know, it's not a great feeling to walk out of a season with $50,000 in debt and having a lot of these people continuing to inundate the city with 'Why' and 'How is this guy able to continue on with this contract?' ... But, the Hail Mary-thought I addressed in the packet I sent over was an idea that, as a way to feel comfortable walking away after 12 years. Where I think it could be argued on our side, pretty strongly, and we could still argue that we have a valid contract. I'm sure your attorney would argue the opposite," Davis told the council.
He added that it is not his "intention" to sue the city and suggested the alcohol agreement as a way to repay vendors from the failed 2024 season.
Bill Greenwood, director of Parks and Recreation, told NonStop Local the city has no agreement with Davis for the 2025 concert series.
Michael Koep, of Koep Concerts, plans to hold the free summer concert series on Wednesdays at McEuen Park. He currently organizes concerts on Sundays at Coeur d'Alene City Park and Thursdays at McIntire Family Park in Hayden.
NonStop Local reached out to Koep for comment Tuesday but did not receive a response.
Meanwhile, business owners continue to argue the city failed to notify them that its contract with Davis had been canceled, allowing him to mislead them into believing the concert series would still take place.
"We're here tonight to discuss the future of what we're going to do as business owners. Because we're not going to sit here and allow somebody to take advantage of our community or business owners. And hopefully [we will] press charges against Tyler, because there have been laws that have been broken," said Tricia Whitney, owner of Malvagio's.
Those at Tuesday's meeting aim to take legal action as a group against Davis.
NonStop Local reached out to Davis for comment Tuesday but did not receive a response.
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