FORT MYERS, Fla - Last call is coming soon for the oldest nightclub in Fort Myers.

The owner of Ricochet blames the economy, but some customers say safety is a concern.

Known for its rock, rap and country concerts...

"I've been to an Aaron Tipton concert here, and I went to Miranda Lambert," LaTasha Wilson says.

Nightly drinks, dancing and pool...

"The people, the atmosphere, the music are great," Ashlie Shields says.

Ricochet customers say there's something for everyone.

"Oftentimes the dance crowd comes early, then they sort of filter out and around 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. the younger crowd sort of filters in," John Penn says.

But owner Keith Stengel says the crowds are thinning. By 11 p.m. Tuesday the door staff counted more than 400 people inside.

"The difference where the economy is coming in is instead of when people would come out to bars at 10, they're leaving then and not spending money," Stengel says.

Stengel says that, coupled with the city's ban on under 21 at bars, is crippling the club.

"Without allowing all ages into a concert, we can't get the concert," Stengel says. He says he can't compete with other cities, even if he's willing to pay more.

"That's because the general public will spend more money on records from 12-21 than they will the rest of their entire lives, and that is (a band's) purpose for touring," Stengel says.

Off camera, some customers tell WINK News they avoid weekends because of fights and shootings. In August three people were shot in the plaza parking lot after the club closed on a Saturday night. The owner says media coverage has kept people away.

"It was not our crowd," Stengel says. "It actually happened in front of K-Mart."

Two other shootings happened in the same parking lot during 2008.

Nonetheless, the weeknight customers are quick to buy another round of good times.

"I hate to see this place shut down," Kathy Lovell says.

Ricochet employs 35 people plus maintenance and cleaning staff. Its last hurrah is Wednesday, November 25. There's no word yet on what will become of the 12,000 square-foot space it will vacate.