This Week in the Mercury
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Neighborhoods Laurelhurst Strip Club Moves Toward OK
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 2:06 PM
The Portland Police recommended against approving a liquor license for the planned Mynt Gentleman's Club on NE 33rd and Sandy.
The neighborhood association recommended against approving the liquor license.
And yet, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) staff report released today recommends approving the license for the controversial site.
The owners of Mynt originally planned to open a bar called Fat Jacks on the site of the old La Fortuna Mexican restaurant and bar. But (as I reported here) after neighbors protested that the bar would lead to violence and noise and the police noted the sketchy history of co-owner Tracy Doss's other bar, Fusion nightclub downtown, the developers changed Fat Jacks bar to Mynt Gentleman's Club.
- Like this, but sexxxy.
The report spells out that because Mynt co-owner Tracy Doss was just a manager of Fusion, not an official liquor license holder, the multiple assaults that went down at Fusion shouldn't be held against him. The OLCC staff also addressed Laurelhurst neighbors' concerns that La Fortuna had been a problem area for violence. "Although the five incidents in 22 months, with four serious incidents including a homicide, are a cause for concern, the problems do not appear to rise to the level of problems that the Commission has determined are serious and persistent in other cases," reads the report, begging the question what is more "serious and persistent" than a homicide and three assaults.
"It seems to say to me, as long as you don't own the license, you can do whatever you want and get a free pass," says Fruits. "I hope that's not true, though the Commissioner will have the final vote." The OLCC commissioners are slated to vote on the license this Thursday the 17th.
1
From what I've seen of Portland strip clubs, patrons usually behave better there than at the average bar or club-- chalk it up to increased security and / or the awkwardness of trying to start trouble while hiding a boner.
2
3
I'm just surprised by the OLCC decision. Didn't they just ticket an underage dancer because she was on stage but not moving? She's only allowed to be in the bar area while performing, and they said she wasn't moving fast enough to qualify as a dancer. This decision doesn't seem like it's from the same (crazy) people.
4
As a matter of fact the OLCC doesn't give a shit about the impact their recommendations will have on neighborhoods. The more booze they move, the more tax revenue the state pulls in.
Off the top of my head I can think of another instance within recent history where the PPD and the neighborhood were at odds with the OLCC's recommendation. (http://portlandsentinel.com/node/737). In that case, so many people packed the OLCC hearing that the partitioner withdrew his request for changes.
5
I've always found the term "gentlemen's club" to be one of the funniest euphemisms, and it's even funnier in this context.
7
8
Two homicides and four assaults?
As an aside, internet pedants have cured me of using (and inevitably misusing) the phrase "begs the question" ever again.
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