Savannah’s Cale Hall Closes the Door on an Era
In the charming city of Savannah, a major chapter is closing as local icon Cale Hall bids farewell to Creative Approach, his beloved print and design shop, and to Club One, the fabulous gay bar where he made so many lasting memories. After 35 years as a partner at the club and nearly two decades of running his business, Hall is turning the page to embark on a whole new adventure: ministry.
A Moment of Realization
It all began back in 2000, when a 30-year-old Hall was enjoying a night out at Club One. The bar, a landmark in Savannah, was filled with familiar faces, the kind you don’t just see as patrons but as a second family. He watched the older regulars, some in their 50s, reflect on their lives, reminiscing about dreams they never chased. This was a wake-up call for Hall. “I thought, I’ve been to the bar enough,” he shared. This prompted him to take charge of his life, finally enrolling in college to pursue his dreams.
Creative Beginnings
In 2004, after hard work and dedication, Hall successfully launched Creative Approach on October 24. This print and design shop quickly gained traction, becoming a go-to resource in Savannah for unique designs and artistic flair. Hall nurtured not just a business, but a community hub where creativity thrived and friendships blossomed.
Stepping Into New Shoes
As Creative Approach prepares to close its doors, Hall is also winding down his partnership with Club One. He is now immersed in earning his Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University’s Candler Theological Seminary. Come January, he’s set to complete a final clinical at St. Joseph’s/Candler, positioning himself for certification. Talk about a transformation!
Finding Belonging
As a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, Hall’s journey to ministry has been paved with challenges, particularly because being an openly gay man previously barred him from ordination. However, with the recent lifting of the ban on LGBTQ clergy in May, he feels rejuvenated, ready to fulfill his life-long dream of serving his community through the church.
A Childhood Shaped by Struggles
Hall’s upbringing was anything but ordinary. After being taken in by his aunt at age four, he experienced a childhood filled with instability as he bounced between homes in South Georgia. “The home I grew up in wasn’t loving; it was very transactional,” he detailed. Yet through it all, the sanctuary of church services he staged with his “imaginary congregation” helped him find a sense of belonging he lacked elsewhere.
The Heart of Club One
Hall started working at Club One back in 1989, where he truly found both purpose and community. “Club One opened in the middle of the AIDS epidemic; for us, that was like our church,” he explained. In those challenging times, the nightclub served as a refuge, and Hall’s heart aches as he recalls losing half of their staff to AIDS between 1990 and 1996.
A Legacy of Love and Support
Despite the changes in clientele over the years—especially after the popularity of John Berendt’s book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”—Club One remains a vital safe space for the Savannah LGBTQ community. Hall expressed gratitude for the community’s support, saying, “Savannah has been so good to me. I just want to thank the community, and it’s time for me to pay it back.”
Giving Back with Heart
To commemorate his retirement and to give back, Hall is hosting a fundraiser at Creative Approach on November 14 at 5:30 p.m. The event will support Living Vine maternity home and Shelter From the Rain Inc., two local nonprofits dedicated to assisting mothers-to-be and single mothers in need. “It’s very important to me to help them with that,” he said, reflecting on how his own childhood inspired his desire to give back.
As Savannah rallies around Hall during this significant transition, he’s poised to start a new chapter filled with faith, purpose, and a mission to uplift others. Here’s to Cale Hall—his journey in the vibrant city of Savannah continues!
