Despite a police recommendation for denial, a liquor license for Express Night Club is up for renewal tonight.
Residents may speak on the resolution, R 325-15, before the City Council votes. The meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
The club is located in the former Richmond Beer garden building at 301 Richmond Avenue.
Owner Luis Penaloza faced the possibility of denial earlier this year when he sought transfer of a license for 301 Richmond Street before the June 30 deadline for liquor license renewals. He agreed to several conditions, including dropping a plan to convert a DJ booth to a lap dance parlor, but neighbors complained of noise until 2 a.m., sex in cars, blocked driveways and litter including condoms, broken beer bottles and crack vials on their property. Since the go-go club closed a few years ago, the neighborhood had been quiet, residents said.
That testimony came out at a hearing in April at which the council acted as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Last week, Corporation Counsel David Minchello said the council could hold a hearing on the renewal for 2015-2016, but a majority declined and put the matter on the agenda for renewal without a hearing.
Among reasons to recommend denial, Police Sgt. Christopher Sylvester said a police visit to the premises on July 2 found unregistered employees, an incomplete list of employees, improper storage and live entertainment "with women dressed in hardly anything."
An undercover detective visited on July 24 and found a woman performing lap dances and taking currency in her bra. The woman allegedly said she didn't work there, but was a go-go dancer from New York who needed to make extra money. In addition, an intoxicated woman re-entered the club.
Despite the police findings, some council members dismissed them and sided with the owner.
See more on the issue in this post on the Sept. 8 meeting.
Also on the agenda are renewals for three social club licenses, 13 bars or restaurants and nine liquor stores. Three additional licenses are being held for clearance and in one case, no renewal application was filed, leaving that license in danger of being eliminated.
--Bernice
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If the owner of this establishment is unable to maintain something as simple as a current list of registered employees, can't stop some 'random, happen to be walking by in Plainfield NJ go-go dancer from New York City from doing lap dances and collecting money what are the odds that they are unable to prevent drug dealing, underage drinking and prostitution in their establishment ?? The odds are zero... BUT.. if the "good God fearing Christian women" on the city council don't have a problem with all of the above, I say "hey"... let the hookers, drug dealers and other seedy elements enjoy that neighborhood. The owner obviously has paid "RESPECT" to the proper people.
ReplyDeleteRob...you don't understand. The "Good Women" do not want to obstruct Mr. Penaloza's daughter from going to Harvard or Yale. An accomplishment which Mr. Penaloza stated would be denied her if the Council were to shut down his establishment.
DeleteMr. Penaloza should hire his daughter to work in his fine establishment
Delete"PAID" being the opperative word.
DeletePeople with "alternate lifestyles" living and spending in town aren't wanted on South Ave but these good people are. Stupid stupid stupid
Obviously a preponderance of the community agree, or these nut nicks would not be elected- you buy the bull you get the s...
One has to wonder about the morals and/or reasons that any council member would have to not close down this gin joint. Is someone getting kickbacks or a regular patron of this place. If the owner is unable or unwilling to run his business according to city and state law he needs to be shut down. To use a quote or maybe its a paraphrase, "I know how this works."
ReplyDeleteIt seems rather simple new apartments are bad for the community but strip clubs and prostitution are good
DeleteNext june cant get here soon enough
You know exactly how this works. Mr. Penaloza is a business man and supported the previous mayor. Probably not because he liked her, but probably to keep his doors open.
DeleteOnly in Oz as doc likes to call it can tweetle dee tweetle dumb and tweetle doh ignore the recommendations of the Public and Police Department
ReplyDeleteStill wondering what the amount given to jerry green for assembly was for there votes
Maybe in Taylor's speech on this topic, she'll explain her reasoning beyond other places are getting away with the same thing. Toliver can give her qualifications as a business owner to justify this establishment providing needed employment for Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteJust the kind of job opportunities we want for our young people in Plainfield
Delete