urbanSTL

It would be interesting to see the reports / files on the clubs referred to in news interviews. There are probably countless offenses we do not know about. In my opinion, revoking the license depends on what actions they are willing to take and if they have taken any yet to improve.

They will likely have to resurface as a lounge or bar, instead of a 'club'.
I guess there was too much money for them, to discontinue the events that attract the 'trouble makers' Now they will pay the ultimate price it seems.

PS_ I heard Jim Edmonds on the radio recently talking about he was going to make 15 more of a 'bar' or 'lounge' versus a club. Has that happened, with the obvious exception of certain wild nights ? He said he was going to make it 'family friendly', whatever that means. This was several months ago.

I caught part of an interview with the owner of Lure on 590's morning show on the way to work. They have the segment posted online at insidestl.com. It seemed more like a chance for the owner of Lure to tell his side of the story than any type of discussion of the issues, but I only caught the last few minutes. They also have an interview with the GM at 15.

I believe the city needs to look in to ordinances that restrict 18 and over nights. It appears that most, if not all of these incidents involve individuals under 21. At a minimum alcohol should not be served at the same venue that is having an 18 and over night. Additionally the city needs to then heavily enforce these restrictions.

My concern is, as other have stated, is that one troubled club is closed, then the promoter moves to the next club looking to make a quick buck and it eventually seems to circle back around. We need to get to the root of the problem and to me it seems to be the 18 and over nights.

I also believe that it is time for our alderman and mayor to hold a public form on the issue to let us know what is being done. I love STL and hope to some day raise a family in the city, but if events like this continue it makes me somtimes wonder. The violence and news stories will soon begin to erode away at all of the great progress the city has made and our property values too.

I would encourage everyone to write your alderman and let them know we want something done about the root of the problem and not as a reaction. Let them also know that we would like a public form, our votes count.

Rob Olsen (Club Lure Manager) wrote:Did anyone hear about the shooting at a downtown bank this morning! Where do I sign up to shut the bank down?

There are likely more effective ways to gain residential support than to make such flippant remarks, Rob. I think we're all aware that banks aren't attracting folks to our neighborhood that instigate both nuisance and violent crime. History clearly indicates the same can't be said for downtown clubs.

And please don't accuse us of being a bunch of fuddy duddies. We know that downtown's continued success depends on a balance where folks can live, work, and play in relative harmony. But if one facet begins to suffer as a result of another, shouldn't stakeholders band together and do what's necessary to bring that balance back?

Maintaining harmony also requires leaders in the residential, business, and entertainment arenas to serve as responsible and respectful partners. What kind of partnership has Club Lure and the Trupiani's had with our neighborhood? Lure, the business Rob represents, has been yanking the Jack Thompson Square HOA's chain for over a year now. Tony Trupiani stated last November that they couldn't afford to buy equipment to contain the fog of smoke within his club and from entering affected residences in Jack Thompson Square. Only now are they willing to consider addressing smoke and other issues??? What about the Trupiani's past club, Dolce? It closed down because of repeated violence and gunfire in a residential area. Just last month, a fight escalated from Club Lure that resulted in two of our policemen being shot at Tucker & St. Charles streets. A leopard may be able to talk a good game, but can it change its spots?

Aside from Club Lure and the Trupiani's, what about nuisance and violent crime stemming from other clubs in the downtown neighborhood? Was it only 2-3 years ago that a man was stabbed to death outside of Club Formula (in the same space as Club Lure?) What about street brawls outside of Club 1014? Or the most recent shooting after clubs closed on July 19th. And this is just the tip of the iceberg...

So where do we go from here? Do we sit idly by while Rob and Club Lure make light of this serious issue? At stake is the safety of both nonresidents and residents alike. At stake are the personal investments that many of us have made downtown. And what will become of downtown if appropriate action is not taken?

Much of the evidence points to problems with the Trupiani's and Club Lure. Is it enough to shut them down? Should downtown clubs in close proximity to residential areas such as Clubs Lure, Sugar, and Europe close early? Or perhaps downtown has matured to the point where clubs are no longer welcome and can instead inhabit non-residential areas such as the Landing & Lumiere? Whatever the answer is, I hope downtown stakeholders can work together to bring balance back to our neighborhood.

The next Safety Meeting is scheduled as follows:
- Date: July 27, 2010 - Time: 6:00pm
- Location: The Partnership for Downtown St. Louis office, 720 Olive St., Suite 450, St. Louis, MO 63101

Regards,
Dave

Also, Tim McKernan tweeted (@tmckernan) that Mayor Slay will be on the 590 KFNS morning show on Thursday, specifically to discuss the issues with the downtown clubs. He is soliciting questions for the mayor on his above-referenced twitter account.

I just listened to the radio show segments, interesting perspective to hear from the club owner. Shows can be found here:
http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTL/Radi ... Audio.aspx


My opinions:
1. Hypothetical situations are useless. If there were shootings outside a rams game every few weeks I do think the city would do something about it. They may even consider calling in the national guard as Chicago has.

2. I think he contradicts himself by stating all his past success downtown, but this club is where the city just decides to not like "urban night".

3. He stated having been to all sorts of meetings, safety meetings, resident meetings, etc. But did not say one thing he has done to address the concerns. In fact he actually insulted the residents by saying they are crazy for thinking downtown could be quiet.

4. "It will never be Chicago or New York", I am not sure what he means by this. Maybe the concept of mixed use development? There are many benefits from this type of development not only for the businesses but also the residents. There are many examples of low residential "entertainment districts" that I do not feel are a great success.

Having been in the bar / restaurant industry at one time I have learned it is better to have people on your side than against you. If it costs a little more to comp a meal, hire outside security, etc. it goes a long way with the perception of the community. Too bad he didn't use the air time to explain how his club was different, every bar has bouncers (private security), what has he done to be a good resident? Regardless of his opinion of the neighborhood, he is now part of it. Falling back on the "they have a problem with urban night" won't get him far in this debate, especially once Mayor Slay addresses it on the show in a few days.

Gone Corporate wrote:Holy crap - Lure's got two new signs up:

"JIM CROW" IS ALIVE AND WELL IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS

DOWNTOWN DOESN'T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE

Saw it on Tim McKernan's InsideStL.

Pictures on the link:
http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTL/McKe ... cense.aspx

Wow, just wow. I'll have more to say on this later.

innov8ion wrote:

Gone Corporate wrote:Holy crap - Lure's got two new signs up:

"JIM CROW" IS ALIVE AND WELL IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS

DOWNTOWN DOESN'T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE

Saw it on Tim McKernan's InsideStL.

Pictures on the link:
http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTL/McKe ... cense.aspx

Wow, just wow. I'll have more to say on this later.

First you have to check to see if Doug really did print those signs?

Any respect I once maintained for Club Lure has since gone down the drain. Take a look below at the signs that Lure has posted earlier today. Essentially, they're slapping the racist term on anyone wishing to live in a safe neighborhood away from gun violence.

1. "Jim Crow is alive and well in downtown St. Louis."
2. "Downtown doesn't like black people."


Courtesy of insideSTL

See Rob's (Lure co-owner) email to me below. He claims no responsibility for what his clientele do after they leave the club and states it's up to the Police Department to clean up after his mess.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rob Olsen <resolsen@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 20, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Re: Safety Meeting
To: David Goldstick <dave@innov8ion.com>

Not making lite at all making a statement! More police presents is required! People are safe coming in and leaving are club! When they get to there cars we can't help what happens, this falls on the city police department!

Sent from my iPhone

But you are responsible, Rob. Ask your lawyers to read City Ordinance 68536

City Ordinance 68536 wrote:14.08.040 License detrimental to neighborhood-Factors to be considered by Excise Commissioner in making determination.

A. In determining whether issuance, renewal or continuation of a retail liquor license would be detrimental to the neighborhood in which the licensed premises is or would be located the Excise Commissioner shall consider the following factors, giving such weight thereto as he deems appropriate:

2. Loitering in the immediate vicinity of the licensed premises by persons frequenting the licensed premises;
3. Littering committed by persons frequenting the licensed premises or by the licensee, his agents, servants or employees;
4. Drinking in public by persons frequenting the licensed premises;
7. Commission of crimes upon or in the immediate vicinity of a licensed premises by persons frequenting the licensed premises or by the licensee, his employees, servants or agents;
8. Sale, use or possession of illegal drugs upon or in the immediate vicinity of the licensed premises by persons frequenting the licensed premises or by the licensee, his employees, servants or agents;
9. Harassing or intimidating behavior exhibited by persons frequenting or congregating about the licensed premises toward persons living in the neighborhood in which the licensed premises are located or toward persons passing by the licensed premises;
10. Noise associated with operation of the licensed premises or caused by persons frequenting the licensed premises;

To Club Lure: Congratulations on polarizing downtown against you by labeling us racist for wishing to live in a safer neighborhood. To any sensible person, this issue concerns crime and not race. The gloves are now off.

Gone Corporate wrote:Those signs are off, too. I'm betting from their landlord, which wouldn't want their tenant to besmirch their good name. Especially before a tv camera team showed up.

The Trupiani's, owners of Club Lure, are trying to divide St. Louis across racial lines. That's very serious and highly disappointing. People of all races have frequented Club Lure. Hell, I've been there in the past. So how is this a racial issue? I don't know, but I guess they figure it's the only chance they've got. How shameful...

Now is the time to capture restraint and build unity. We can't let these people divide our city...

Isn't Lure the same as Lucky's? Lucky's was the site of several shootings in late 2007 and early 2008. I know this because I witnessed them as the fine patrons left the club, entered their cars and began spraying bullets. Does the city and the police need to be reminded that this is not new. Tony, Nicky and Rob need to go.

Since they will have so much time on their hands maybe they can brush up on their reading and 'riting skills.

You know before the owner posted those inflammtory signs in his window I was thinking maybe there was a solution besides totally shutting down the clubs. But after seeing that racial ridiculousness as well as seeing his snide remarks to concerned downtown citizens I hope anything he owns is padlocked by noon!

CS wrote:

The Lure guy is clueless. You can't invite trash to your establishment, then when that trash leaves and starts trouble a block away, throw up your hands and say "It's not our fault, why are they picking on us?".

What's funny is that he hangs himself with his own words. If a club wasn't a problem, why would they need to spend "thousands of dollars a weekend" on security? Does Flannery's? Over Under Pub? Dubliner? Nope, nope and nope.

ETA: The guy's an idiot.

You hit the nail on the head. If only someone in the media had the b*lls to say that.

PS_ The sign on Lure should read 'Downtown hates crimimal thugs' Black, white, whatever!
(I am not implying the thugs all come from Lure & Sugar, but the bangers sure like shooting at their patrons for some reason )