A proposed city ordinance change would make it almost impossible for bars outside of downtown to maintain their 3 a.m. liquor license, says one local bar owner.
Hess was notified of the changes by letter from Regulated Industries Division last week. "All it really says is they want to reduce the number of 3 a.m. licenses. The idea is that 3 a.m. liquor licenses should be only in trade areas."
Considering the hits local bars took following the smoking ban and enduring a bad economy, Hess says taking his 3 a.m. license would be enough to close his business.
"We've spent a fortune in the last year. We had the smoking ban, and that knocked my business 40 percent. And I said, 'I'll go out and get a 3 a.m. license and build a deck behind my building'. It's very expensive just to get the license, but when we finally did get it, the board voted unanimously to give us the 3 a.m. license. I started building my deck and just opened it last Friday.
"The late night people will lose their jobs, that's all there is to it, and most of my staff lives right here in Westport."
According to Hess, who's been in touch with other bar owners, the change would affect the Caddy Shack, Club Deja Vu, the News Room, Red Front, the Riot Room, Davey's Uptown Rambler's Club, Hannibals Waldo Bar and Grill, Flo's Polka Dot Lounge, JC's Sports Bar, and DiCarlo's Mustard Seed.
Regulated Industries hasn't returned a call for comment, but we'll update the post when we hear from them.
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There are only 2 bars/clubs in the Vine District & they both close at 1:30am! Don't know what exemption you guys are refering to but they do not use it!
This is the reason why Kansas City will forever be doomed. Because the people who run it are far to stupid to do anything good for once.
Getting out of this town as soon as possible.
Sorry for the double post but..........
@Bob Asher
"If you read the ordinance, another issue that pops up is a loophole allowed for bars inside the 18th and Vine area that they don't even have to meet the same revenue requirements as any other bar in town to get their 3ams, so that favoritism right there should sink the whole thing."
I hope you are right, but apparently it's not fashionable for a city to have an area zoned "hipster hangout".
Where as it is ok to have a zoned Jazz district.
Cultural Engineering is REAL and it fucking sucks.
@Marbee
"Big pharma has spent billions demonizing the pleasure of smoking using social engineering and profits from bans that destroys private businesses. Follow the money! I read an article about a boy that OD'd on Nicorette gum given at school without parental knowledge. So, very quietly, pharmaceutical nicotine is pushed on 12 year old kids. If anyone doubted that the anti-smoking crusade leads back to Johnson & Johnson, the cat is totally out of the bag! That being said, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's website says the war on alcohol begins in 2009. There won't be a bar left soon. They let it happen to smokers, who cared?"
This is fucking disturbing.
Perhaps this will leave a foot in the door for the KC mobsters to come back into town.
Then maybe KC would actually be a "cool" city to live in again.
This irks me even more when you take into consideration the fact than most of the immediate remuneration generated from P & L district gets outsourced immediately away from KC.
I don't know if it will be like that in the future I hope not.
Last time I went to a bar there (several months ago) I didn't even see boulevard beer being offered for sale.
If that isn't a slap in the face I don't know what is.
I know that there is some crime here and there, but most of us go down there to enjoy the great nightlife that Westport has to offer. Where else can you get a pizza buy the slice at 2am in the morning and grab a beer or a nice drink? There's thousands of dollars that are going to be lost and place's might not make it. Another little depression after another...
If you like CRIME, people throwing up on your yard or urinating on your street then go ahead and vote yes!
Big pharma has spent billions demonizing the pleasure of smoking using social engineering and profits from bans that destroys private businesses. Follow the money! I read an article about a boy that OD'd on Nicorette gum given at school without parental knowledge. So, very quietly, pharmaceutical nicotine is pushed on 12 year old kids. If anyone doubted that the anti-smoking crusade leads back to Johnson & Johnson, the cat is totally out of the bag! That being said, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's website says the war on alcohol begins in 2009. There won't be a bar left soon. They let it happen to smokers, who cared?
So much bluster and no real intelligence here. Look, 3:00am liquor licenses are here to stay. It's good revenue for the city and the state, and the business a bar does between 1:30 and 3:00 absolutely is the difference between viability and bankrupcy.
The issue at hand is WHO gets the licenses. Obviously, the rational conclusion is that every bar should get a 3:00am, or that there is no closing time at all and the businesses get to set their own hours, just like McDonalds or Walgreens. What is at stake with this ordinance is that the city is proposing to change the rules in the middle of the game about who and where 3am licenses can be issued and it's not fair to existing businesses.
If you read the ordinance, another issue that pops up is a loophole allowed for bars inside the 18th and Vine area that they don't even have to meet the same revenue requirements as any other bar in town to get their 3ams, so that favoritism right there should sink the whole thing.
If a citizen has a problem with the alleged crimes that are generated by an establishment, there are already means in place to deal with that. Call down to Regulated Industries, as to speak with the director, and register a formal complaint. Or call the police. All of these incidents get logged and are reviewed each and every year when licenses are up for renewal.
It's not the 3am that's the problem here, that's just an arbitrary time. It's the management of a particular establishment that sets an atmosphere of lawlessness and debauchery. And frankly, I've seen more lewd behavior at Power and Light at 2:30am than I have at Davey's Uptown or Dave's Stagecoach.
And to Steve!There house all over Westport!Are you BLIND!No 3:00 AM license in Westport!
So it looks like there MORE TROULBE in WESTPORT last night AGAIN!I wonder why??Could it be a 3:00 AM LICENSE!!PEPPER SPRAYING there CUSTMERS!!That's what a 3:00 AM license will do!!!Way to go WESTPORT!
Residential or not, entertainment helps define a city. What is a city without nightlife? Our downtown is already dead. Why destroy real genuine local culture elsewhere in the city? What is there to gain?
I just returned from doing shows in Germany, where they not only have NO CLOSING TIME (and often close at 6am), but cities like BERLIN actually promote their nightlife to tourists. On the plane ride home I listened to airplane radio discussing how great and vibrant the clubs in Berlin are. DEAR KANSAS CITY POLITICIANS, NIGHTLIFE IS A DRAW!! Often times Im dissapointed at the confused direction of this city's development. It seems KC government is unaware of how they are not only destroying future evening entertainment but also pushing dollars into the hands of out of state business. I feel this is a poor choice.
Like a 1:30 AM license isn't enough!What a bunch of CRY BABIES these BAR OWNERS are!!The don't care about the CRIME it will cause or if you get a D.U.I.!GREED is a sin!All religious know that!All they care about is feeding their GREEDY pockets!Like these BAR OWNER don't have enough MONEY!Money is their God!Thanks for watching over Westport PREACHER MAN!God BLISS!!!!
Like a 1:30 license isn't enough!GREED is a sin!All religion should know that!Like these BAR OWNERS don't have enough money!They don't care about the CRIME it will cause or if you get a D.U.I.!All they want to do is to fill their GREED POCKETS!The PREACHER MAN got it right!Thanks for looking out for WESTPORT!God BLISS!
More alcohol means MORE CRIME!The PREACHER got i right!There should be more people like him!Thanks for watching over WESTPORT!
This law should go through!!!A 3.00am license will cause MORE CRIME in the area!!!
No 3.00 AM license for westport!
wow, how much did P&L pay to make this happen?
Not sure why Davey's can't count the Marriott at 30th or Econolodge on Broadway, just like News Room could...or the 2 hotels on Westport Road...got to be close to 1.5 miles...let me guess someone counted the rooms and it's 99...
There is no reason for a bar in Waldo or Brookside to stay open until 3 a.m. Downtown and Westport, yes. Residential neighborhoods, no.
Hopefully, the ban frenzy will slow down now that the main source of funding, Pfizer, finally got busted.
I must address a concern that was brought to me anbout a previous comment I made questioning the validity of Jim Hess's statements to Peter Rugg.
My comment was meant to chide Peter Rugg into doing some actual reporting and doing more than making a couple of phone calls and talking to one source for his story. This 3:00am business is a big deal for all residents in the city and it needs to be reported properly, not built upon single-source heresay and then posted up on blogs. I will say that although I do not know Jim Hess personally, many bar owners I do know are not reliable enough sources for reporters to be depending on for their entire stories and I apologize that I included Jim is my assumptions. I love Dave's Stagecoach Inn and have been a steady customer for 10 years and my interest in this 3:00am license matter is directly related to my concern for the continued viability of businesses like Dave's Stagecoach Inn.
What, you guys didn't know that KC's city government is (and always has been) for sale to the highest bidder? Really?
Now that the tobacco control lobbyists found gullible lawmakers and got their foot in the door, they'll be back for the patios later, AFTER business owners spend thousands of dollars to build them to accommodate their many smoking patrons. This proves that they have ABSOLUTLY NO CONCERN about local issues or businesses. Read page seven about the "inside out" instructions in their book.
http://www.no-smoke.org/pdf/CI...
Here's where the instructions come from.
http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product...
I also wrote an email if you would like to use some of my points.
The proposed changes to the laws requiring a 3 a.m. bar to be within a hotel with 100 rooms and annual gross sales of $250,000 will be absolutely detrimental to entertainment districts around the city.
As someone with no affiliation to any entertainment establishment, and as a patron of bars into the wee hours of 3 a.m. only on rare occasions, I have no personal benefit by keeping these bars open until 3 a.m. However, as a recently new transplant to Kansas City from Omaha, Nebraska, I can see the benefits both economically and reputation-ally to the city. Anyone who visits Kansas City from Omaha, is impressed with the number of bar districts, the historical aesthetics of the areas, and the fact that they can stay out until 3 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. at Mutual Musician's Foundation, something they are not able to do in Omaha. The number of locally-owned businesses that visitors and residents alike can patronize provides the unique draw this city needs to stay competitive in the Midwest.
Since relocating from Omaha, my view of the city's attitudes towards the "Downtown Entertainment District" have been skewed towards the negative with unfair advantages continually being geared towards that area. As a current resident of the Westport neighborhood, and previously the Crossroads District, I see many opportunities for the city to give incentives towards other areas that would be just as, if not more-beneficial. I would rather support my local business until 3 a.m. than a national conglomerate. The Power & Light district is a great tourist destination, but I feel the concerns and best interest of Kansas City residents (Kansas City taxpayers) have not been in the city's first interest when continual benefits are being handed to the district, while other districts must spend time and money to get the same treatment (i.e. allowing alcohol in the streets in Westport.) I also understand that there is a lot of tax revenue to be covered by the incentives given towards the district, but let that be a lesson for future endeavors on how to manage growth and finances in a city of this size.
Some of my facts may be skewed, but that lies in the hands of the city's public relations department. Constantly making decisions behind all-but-closed doors doesn't shed a positive light on the city, nor does it make me want to continue paying taxes to this city, nor for my future plans to open a small business in this city that constantly helps big business.
I hope you take my comments into consideration when deciding on this issue as both a taxpayer, and a proud, new Kansas Citian.
I hate having the fear everyday that I am going to loose my job because of the Power and White district.
I would suggest to Peter Rugg that if manage to buy some time and these issues do get delayed that maybe instead of interviewing questionable sources like Jim Hess and spreading rumors that he head on down to City Hall for some real reporting. Maybe start with all of the Neighborhood and Public Safety Committee members?
How would it affect Club Deja Vu when it has been out of business for almost a year?
Apparently there is a meeting TODAY (Wed) at 10:00am. If you have time, please write the committee members before then. Feel free to copy/past and edit my email if it will save you time:
I am asking you as a resident of the 4th District Council and a bartender in the Westport area to please consider delaying any further action on two items up for discussion today, 090721 and 090724 until more public input can be gathered.
As far as I can tell, 090721 and modifications to the 3:00am liquor licenses it proposes will seriously endanger many viable businesses throughout Kansas City. As one who depends on bar businesses for my livelihood and as a taxpayer and a voter, I ask you to step carefully before advancing actions that are intended to subsidize "entertainment district" businesses at the expense of existing established businesses. More public discussion about 3:00am liquor licenses and how they should be appropriately issued is necessary.
My initial reading of 090724 seems to imply that by giving the Director of Regulated Industries greater authority to disallow liquor licenses within nearly 1/4 of a mile of residential zoned neighborhoods, it will be much more difficult for neighborhood taverns to acquire and maintain their businesses. If Kansas City ever wants to be considered a "walkable" or "commuter friendly" community, these increased restrictions on business is irresponsible and short-sighted.
I urge to please not sacrifice my job and my community for the sake of special interests such as the Cordish Company and allow us more time to review and recommend alternatives to the above agenda items.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Robert A. Asher, Jr,
Thanks, Bob Asher. I will join the Facebook page and see what a guy who lives on the KS side but drinks in Westport can do.
What the hell is wrong with this town? Why is this even an ISSUE?
Doing what I can to oppose this, thanks.
If you want to keep up to date on the issues, you can join the Facebook Group "Don't Let P&L Corporate Interests Kill My Neighborhood Tavern" here:
http://www.facebook.com/group....
And if you want to join up the Facebook group, "Don't Let P&L Corporate Interests Kill My Neighborhood Tavern". You can find it here:
http://www.facebook.com/group....
We'll keep up to date on the issues.
Keep in mind that whining about it does not help. You need to let your reps in city govt. know you do not support this change.
Go to this link and type in your address. This will give you your KCMO city council district, then email (or better, call) both of your councilpeople and tell them your opinion. Make sure you list 1> Your address 2> Where you work 3> Where you spend your money drinking (taxes) and 4> That you vote.
Make sure you reference the proposed ordinance changes:
090721 - (3:00am license change)
and while you're at it:
090724 - (this one essentially will make it harder for neighborhood taverns to obtain and keep their licenses)
You can write one email and just put everyone on the "To:" line. If you can, make sure you include any bar owners you know and/or any local media outlet people you know on that same line, that way the councilpeople will know you know people. Also, make sure you include all members of the Public Safety and Neighborhoods Committee:
Cathy Jolly (Chair) - lisa_sturgeon@kcmo.org
John Sharp (Vice-Chair) - araceli_gallegos@kcmo.org
Cindy Circo - gina_boucher@kcmo.org
Melba Curls - melba_curls@kcmo.org
City council reelection campaigns start in about 12 months, so opinions can be changed and unlike state and federal government, your opinion will be listened to. Just be sure to keep it short and polite.
And to be extra active, you can register as a Witness in opposition to these ordinances by going here:
http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/live...
and filling out the registration form. Make sure to reference your opposition to the ordinance numbers.
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