A combination of unpaid mortgage payments and expensive repair needs is sounding the last call for downtown Wilmington’s Soapbox Laundro-Lounge, a downtown official said Friday.

John Hinnant, president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown Inc., said that the bar’s owner, Brent Watkins, had come to his organization for help, stating that the building needed major repairs such as replacement of its air conditioning unit and sealing of windows. Hinnant said also that he was aware that Watkins had not been making his loan payments for a while.

Watkins did return a phone call request for comment Friday.

The Soapbox, in the historic Elks Temple building at 255 N. Front St., has operated as a bar and live music venue – with a few functional washers and dryers for patrons who want to wash their clothes as they down some suds.

On Thursday, Watkins announced on Facebook that he plans to close the establishment at the end of July. Financial difficulties are forcing out the bar, Hinnant said, as well as the building’s two other tenants, Nutt Street Comedy Room and Marks of Distinction Tattoo.

The tattoo business is relocating to 105 Market Street in early July, said employee Seagh Mulligan.

The fate of Nutt Street Comedy Room, which occupies the building’s basement, has not been determined, although owner Timmy Sherrill said Friday he is searching for venues of various sizes to accommodate acts he has already booked for the next few months.

“I’m trying to appeal to a third party so I can stay in the building, but from what I gather, there is no one to appeal to,” Sherrill said. “The venue is extremely important to the formula of Nutt Street Comedy Room.

“A week or two ago I just confirmed my lineup and found out last week a definite eviction date,” he added. “But I’m not going to walk away. The community has just as much of an investment to keep [the comedy club] going.”

The building, a 15,000-square-foot, four-story structure, is for sale for $1.47 million.

According to the listing agent, Pete DeVita of Century 21 Sweyer & Associates, it has been on the market for several months.

Boxing Elk LLC bought the building in 2006 for $1.4 million, according to New Hanover County tax records. Watkins was listed as one of three managers for the Boxing Elk LLC, according to the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office, whose records showed the LLC was dissolved in May for non-filing of annual reports.