The team at a cherished filming site for One Tree Hill has expressed that if they are unable to secure $100,000 by the end of December, they may have to shut down permanently. TRIC is a warehouse located on Front Street in Wilmington, where numerous scenes were shot. Most prominently, it featured as a nightclub, […]
The team at a cherished filming site for One Tree Hill has expressed that if they are unable to secure $100,000 by the end of December, they may have to shut down permanently.
TRIC is a warehouse located on Front Street in Wilmington, where numerous scenes were shot. Most prominently, it featured as a nightclub, named “TRIC,” that was frequently visited by characters from the show.
Currently, it serves as a venue for fans to explore, displaying various props, memorabilia, and autographed items from the cast. The location also hosts charitable events throughout the year, often featuring stars from the series who participate in meet-and-greet sessions to raise funds.
For tour guides like Lindsey Kirsch, this location holds significant value. In contrast to many other filming sites in the area that have transformed into new restaurants or businesses, ultimately losing their connection to the show, Kirsch emphasizes that TRIC remains a venue devoted to the fans.
“We are the last remaining landmark with direct connections to One Tree Hill,” Kirsch stated. “We cherish engaging with our visitors, asking them questions like ‘Who’s your favorite character? What’s your preferred scene? Or your favorite episode?’ because it resonates differently with each person. When they step in, their faces light up. Sometimes they exclaim, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’”
The organization managing the site, Friends with Benefit Charities, has ambitious plans for the future of the venue. They aim to restore the interior to closely resemble what the TRIC nightclub appeared like on the show. They also intend to open the venue nightly for live music performances.
However, none of this can materialize without first addressing various safety concerns.
The brickwork in the warehouse is deteriorating, the elevator has been out of order for nearly a year, the roof leaks with almost every rain, and the HVAC system requires a total replacement. According to the landlord, all these issues must be resolved for the venue to remain operational.
“Closing is a notion I don’t even want to entertain,” Kirsch expressed. “I discovered TRIC and began volunteering during a challenging time in my life, and I am so thankful for it; it has been beneficial in numerous ways.”
The group estimates that addressing all these repairs will cost a minimum of $500,000. Employees mention that they are depending on the financial backing of fans of the show to reach this amount. They’ve established a target of $100,000 by the end of December. If they are unable to achieve this goal, they will have to reassess whether staying in the venue is viable.
A holiday fundraising event is scheduled for December 14 and 15, featuring stars such as James Lafferty, Bevin Prince, Lee Norris, Barbara Alyn Woods, and Stephen Colletti. Although the event is sold out, they hope the funds accrued will assist them in nearing their target.
In the interim, they are urging fans of the show to contribute to their online fundraiser, schedule tours at TRIC, and think about purchasing merchandise.
“Whether it’s five dollars, ten, or any amount your heart wishes to give, we value every contribution and every cent,” Kirsch stated. “We genuinely want to keep doing what we’re doing, not only for the fans but for the charities and the talent as well. The talent enjoys returning to Wilmington and seeing everyone’s smiles, and this can only continue if we all collaborate.”
For more information, visit WECT.com.
