By Gary Balow

Gay 90s sold in Minneapolis
One of the Midwest’s most famous gay nightclubs, Minneapolis’ Gay 90s, has been sold to a man who owns straight strip clubs in the Twin Cities.

Peter Hafiz, whose holdings include the Déjà Vu and Dreamgirls strip clubs, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune April 11 that he expects to take over the Gay 90s May 1, pending Minneapolis city approval.

The Gay 90s occupies 30,000 square feet in downtown Minneapolis and has been a gay nightclub since the mid-1970s. Longtime owner Michael Bloom said he’s selling the club so he can retire.

Hafiz said he has no plans to turn the iconic nightclub into a straight venue.

“I have no desire to do that whatsoever,” Hafiz told the Star Tribune. “There is a need for what the 90s (provides). We want to keep it what it is.”

Hafiz said most of the sprawling club’s staff would remain, adding that he plans to invest a considerable amount into the club.

“We’re going to do an extensive remodeling and bring it up to date as an upscale venue for the gay community,” he said. “It’s a landmark, but I think it’s been a landmark that’s been neglected.”

Planet Out sells Advocate and Out
San Francisco-based Planet Out said last week that it’s agreed to sell its publishing business, including The Advocate and Out magazines, to New York-based Regent Releasing, which owns the gay TV network Here.

Planet Out said the $6-million deal should be finalized April 30 and completed by August 31. The company has been bleeding money for some time, reporting a $51.2-million loss in 2007. Planet Out officials said the revamped company would focus on its online businesses, gay.com and planetout.com.

The company recently put Expedia in charge of its online travel business and is looking into the possibility of other financial moves, including selling the company.