Future of Memphis Strip Clubs Uncertain After Supreme Court Ruling
samsung1
Ohio
MEMPHIS, TN - The U.S. Supreme Court may have put many Memphis strip clubs out of business.
On Monday, October 4, 2010, the High Court declined to hear club owners' appeal of a new Shelby County ordinance that forbids alcohol and lap dances at adult establishments.
"Well, I wish it hadn't taken this long," says Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz. "But I always knew we were going to win."
It's been nearly three years since Commissioner Ritz successfully sponsored new legislation to regulate Memphis area strip clubs.
"We've become a center of this activity," Ritz tells ABC24. "There are people who would drive hundreds of miles to go to our clubs because they are so loosely operated."
But things would change drastically under the new rules. No drinking will be allowed at strip clubs, not even BYOB. Contact with dancers is also forbidden. Plus, the owners and entertainers have to pass criminal background checks to qualify for costly operating licenses.
Steve Cooper, owner of the Gold Club on Summer Avenue, fought the ordinance all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and lost when the court refused to hear the appeal on its first day back in session Monday.
It's a major victory, says Ritz, not just for him, but for the entire community.
"It's going to change the face of these clubs for a long time," says Ritz.
Monday night at the Gold Club, employees were instructed to tell the media "no comment". Jerry Westland, the California-based owner of The Pony club, didn't return calls from ABC24. And workers were equally apprehensive at Showgirls on Lamar, although one employee shared his thoughts off-camera.
"No beer? No table dances?" he says. "We're done. That'll put most clubs out of business."
The same employee predicted a spike in crime and an increase in prostitution if Memphis strip clubs start to fold.
But you'll get no sympathy from Commissioner Ritz, a determined lawmaker who's been waiting a long time to clean up the town.
"I'm not really a prude about these things," he says. "But we don't need to be notorious for the fact our clubs are so loosely operated, and that's the way it's been. It won't be that way anymore."
Ritz says the new rules could start being enforced as early as February if attorneys for the strip club owners don't find another way to tie up the issue in court again.
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/loc…
On Monday, October 4, 2010, the High Court declined to hear club owners' appeal of a new Shelby County ordinance that forbids alcohol and lap dances at adult establishments.
"Well, I wish it hadn't taken this long," says Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz. "But I always knew we were going to win."
It's been nearly three years since Commissioner Ritz successfully sponsored new legislation to regulate Memphis area strip clubs.
"We've become a center of this activity," Ritz tells ABC24. "There are people who would drive hundreds of miles to go to our clubs because they are so loosely operated."
But things would change drastically under the new rules. No drinking will be allowed at strip clubs, not even BYOB. Contact with dancers is also forbidden. Plus, the owners and entertainers have to pass criminal background checks to qualify for costly operating licenses.
Steve Cooper, owner of the Gold Club on Summer Avenue, fought the ordinance all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and lost when the court refused to hear the appeal on its first day back in session Monday.
It's a major victory, says Ritz, not just for him, but for the entire community.
"It's going to change the face of these clubs for a long time," says Ritz.
Monday night at the Gold Club, employees were instructed to tell the media "no comment". Jerry Westland, the California-based owner of The Pony club, didn't return calls from ABC24. And workers were equally apprehensive at Showgirls on Lamar, although one employee shared his thoughts off-camera.
"No beer? No table dances?" he says. "We're done. That'll put most clubs out of business."
The same employee predicted a spike in crime and an increase in prostitution if Memphis strip clubs start to fold.
But you'll get no sympathy from Commissioner Ritz, a determined lawmaker who's been waiting a long time to clean up the town.
"I'm not really a prude about these things," he says. "But we don't need to be notorious for the fact our clubs are so loosely operated, and that's the way it's been. It won't be that way anymore."
Ritz says the new rules could start being enforced as early as February if attorneys for the strip club owners don't find another way to tie up the issue in court again.
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/loc…
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7 comments
yeah, right, and if you believe that one, I've got a bridge to sell in Brooklyn too.
what a fucking prick!
I could see one or two local strip clubs going more upscale with air dances & a juice bar vibe, but I agree that otherwise it'll be a blood bath for strip club jobs.