Less than a month after the untimely death of its owner, The Jet Ultra Lounge will close its doors indefinitely after a final blowout party this weekend.

The club's last bash will be a two-day event, scheduled for tonight and Saturday. Doors will open at 9 p.m., with a cover of $10 for patrons 21 and up and $20 for those 18-20. DJ Soap and DJ Hawk will be providing the music, and all drink will be on special for $3 or less.

After Saturday night, many members of the local dance crowd will be left to mourn the loss of a beloved man and the one-of-a-kind club experience he created.

Rico Garcia opened The Jet, 4117 S.W. Huntoon St., in September 2009. Garcia rejuvenated the space (which formerly housed Jul's and Club Nocturnal) by expanding the dance floor, adding private VIP lounges and a lighted, full-service bar. The club employed a rotating schedule of resident DJs to spin dance music of all genres - providing a dance club experience wholly unique from any other bar in Topeka.

On July 10, Garcia was competing in a Sunflower State Games basketball match with the team his club had sponsored. Soon after the game began, Garcia took himself out, sat on the bench and slumped over a few minutes later. He died later that day at a Topeka hospital.

Vince Garcia, club manager, took over operations at The Jet after his brother's death. He worked diligently, and frequently updated patrons via the club's Facebook page about his struggle to keep his brother's dream alive.

Amidst many moving tributes to Rico that friends and customers wrote on the page, Vince's posts began to reflect the struggles he was facing in his efforts to keep the business afloat. First came this posting Wednesday, July 28:

"OK, I want to clarify to everyone who keeps asking!! Is The Jet closing it's doors? I hate to say it but as of right now the answer is yes!! I hate to do it cause i promised that i would do everything i could to keep it going for RICO!! Right now my hands are tied and it's not up to me!!! just please everyone keep us i...n your prayers and pray everything works out!!"

Later that day, Vince added an update:

"n your prayers and pray that things work out!! I've done everything i can at my disposal!! I would like ask for everyone to come out this Thurs 29th for a last BLOWOUT for THE JET and RICO!!!"

Minutes later, he posted information about a final event at the club, including the following message:

"I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED RICO AND I!! I KNOW HE APPRECIATED EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE WHO HELPED HIM TO GET WHERE HE WAS AND IS!!! I LOVE YOU RICO AND I WIIL STILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO KEEP WHAT YOU WANTED GOING!!!"

DJ Soap is one of the club's resident DJs who presided over the dance floor twice a week. In an interview with Splash! several weeks ago, he expressed his gratitude for Rico Garcia's continuing support. Instead of hunting for bargain-priced entertainment, Soap said Garcia opted to support industry talent he believed would create the best experience for his customers.

"Rico was hands down the best club owner I have had the privilege of working for," Soap said in an e-mail this week. "A great business man and an even greater family man."

Only minutes after Vince Garcia announced on The Jet's Facebook page that the club would close after this week, an outpouring of regret and well wishes began from patrons and friends of the Garcias. Below is a sampling.

Damn, wish The JET could stay man, topeka needs more spots like this!!!! RIP Rico. - Adam Kroger

Ugh, not going to be the same without the Jet. Rico always made sure everybody was having a great time, and he made sure to have the hottest waitresses in town. Thanks to Rico, met a lot of awesome people there. Hopefully I can get back in town soon enough to show up one last time at the Jet for my cousin. Miss ya Rico! - Rolando Garcia

i hope that this will be resolved and rico's dream will llive on! - Amanda Payne Fox

Prayers are headed the way of the Jet. It gives me a smile every time I drive by and think of Rico. Just do your best and let God handle the rest. - Jenee Larsen Rager