Va. Beach club owner says he didn't hire strippers
samsung1
Ohio
During a Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control hearing Friday, the owner of a Haygood nightclub said he knew Saturdays were dubbed "Lesbian Night" at his club and that patrons would often perform songs and dances on those nights.
But Phillip Cradle said he never hired strippers or had any knowledge of people taking their clothes off at his club, Hartz Cafe.
That's what an undercover Alcoholic Beverage Control agent said happened early March 7, when he recorded an entertainer and a patron undressing and simulating sex acts on the cafe's dance floor. State code prohibits nude acts at businesses that serve liquor.
If an Alcoholic Beverage Control hearing officer finds that evidence and testimony presented during the hearing substantiate the agent's claims, Hartz Cafe could face a fine or suspension of its mixed beverage license. The decision will be released in 30 to 45 days.
Cradle said he has fired the employees present during the incident, which the agent said occurred shortly after 1 a.m. at the club at 1049 Independence Blvd.
"I will admit that I am responsible for everything that happened," he said. "It shouldn't have happened... I've done everything I can to ensure that doesn't happen again."
The agency fined Hartz Cafe, which is licensed as Salty Dogs Inc., $1,200 earlier this month for allowing a patron to simulate a sex act back in September, said Robert O'Neal, the chief hearing officer.
If additional violations like that occur, Hartz Cafe could be in jeopardy of losing its liquor license permanently, O'Neal said.
"These things are far outside the boundaries of what can take place inside an ABC restaurant," he said. "You need to get a handle on what's going on there," he later added.
The agent who investigated the case dropped one charge against Hartz Cafe alleging the club had failed to maintain peace and good order, grounds for Alcoholic Beverage Control license revocation.
Cradle said a few intoxicated patrons simply got out of hand during the incident.
"I would not approve of nothing like that, never," he said. "I care about the community."
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/06/beach-cl…
June 26, 2010
But Phillip Cradle said he never hired strippers or had any knowledge of people taking their clothes off at his club, Hartz Cafe.
That's what an undercover Alcoholic Beverage Control agent said happened early March 7, when he recorded an entertainer and a patron undressing and simulating sex acts on the cafe's dance floor. State code prohibits nude acts at businesses that serve liquor.
If an Alcoholic Beverage Control hearing officer finds that evidence and testimony presented during the hearing substantiate the agent's claims, Hartz Cafe could face a fine or suspension of its mixed beverage license. The decision will be released in 30 to 45 days.
Cradle said he has fired the employees present during the incident, which the agent said occurred shortly after 1 a.m. at the club at 1049 Independence Blvd.
"I will admit that I am responsible for everything that happened," he said. "It shouldn't have happened... I've done everything I can to ensure that doesn't happen again."
The agency fined Hartz Cafe, which is licensed as Salty Dogs Inc., $1,200 earlier this month for allowing a patron to simulate a sex act back in September, said Robert O'Neal, the chief hearing officer.
If additional violations like that occur, Hartz Cafe could be in jeopardy of losing its liquor license permanently, O'Neal said.
"These things are far outside the boundaries of what can take place inside an ABC restaurant," he said. "You need to get a handle on what's going on there," he later added.
The agent who investigated the case dropped one charge against Hartz Cafe alleging the club had failed to maintain peace and good order, grounds for Alcoholic Beverage Control license revocation.
Cradle said a few intoxicated patrons simply got out of hand during the incident.
"I would not approve of nothing like that, never," he said. "I care about the community."
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/06/beach-cl…
June 26, 2010
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