IN THE CLUBS WITH VINCE CARTER

Vince Carter has recently become co-owner of Inside, a lounge in the heart of Toronto's club district. He's now in business with Travis Agresti, a business prodigy who's made his name in the industry at just 22 years old.

Vince Carter hanging out in his Toronto nightclub Inside. Photo by Yuri Dojc

By AILEEN CORR -- SportsXtra

 Approaching 218 Richmond Street on a Saturday night, Inside is unmistakable even without a sign.

 A line-up running down the block is indication enough, especially in comparison to other clubs on the block. Some are so desperate for party people they're giving out free passes on the street corner. Not so outside Inside.

 Vince Carter has recently become co-owner of Inside, a lounge in the heart of Toronto's club district. He's now in business with Travis Agresti, a business prodigy who's made his name in the industry at just 22 years old. The two are a match made in heaven, Agresti, the young impresario, and Carter, the bearer of some serious cash and a big name to boost crowds from merely mammoth to just about mob-like.

 Inside Inside, the transformation from day to night is like, well, day and night. That afternoon, Carter had slouched into the third floor through the back door, making the place feel like one enormous living room. His frame, reduced to about 6-foot-6 by the slouch, seemed in perfect proportion with the exaggerated space.

 Carter and Agresti joked and teased each other. The mood was relaxed. Staff tidied the place and arranged flowers while Vince and his manager, Jeff Scott, goofed around in the DJ booth, playing MC and DJ.

Carter and club co-owner Travis Agresti Photo by Yuri Dojc

 By midnight, the club is packed and the last refuge is the second floor VIP area. On any given night, you could spot Jason Kidd, Antawn Jamison, or Vince himself chilling in this glassed-in section, equipped with extensive booths and an impeccably stocked bar.

 If you're interested in musical superstars, Prince, N'Sync, and Nelly Furtado have all been spotted here. Unfortunately, the celebrity seekers are out of luck tonight.

 The biggest name to cruise through the lounge is Namugenyi, a popular MuchMusic VJ.

 Outside the human fishbowl, all three levels are rammed. It's wall to wall with bumpers, grinders, drinkers, and gawkers. Everyone's entertained.

 It becomes clearer why Carter became so warm during the afternoon interview. He likes talking about this place, pleased in his part-proprietorship of Inside Lounge.

 Carter knows more than basketball, as he has proved once again with this club.

 He doesn't handle the day-to-day running of the place, Agresti is the pro at that. Rather, Carter seems to be a genius at finding the people he needs to do what he wants. He wanted to get in on a club, so he hooked up with Agresti, who can handle the endless details of ownership.

The mood is relaxed inside Inside. Photo by Yuri Dojc

 They both laugh at the idea of Carter handling the day-to-day running of the club. "Ask him how much a domestic beer is," says Agresti, daring me to stump his Vince-ness. "No, no, just ask him to name a domestic beer. The guy's never had a drink in his life."

 Still, he's managed to become partially responsible for one of the hottest clubs in town. "I wanted to get involved somewhere that was established," Carter explains.

 "I wanted to go into business with someone who could teach me, because I want to learn about this stuff."

 It looks like that mission's been accomplished. Now we just have to sit back and wait for his next major move.