While it is unfortunate the L.A. Globe nightclub is being forced to shut down because of liquor law violations and numerous police calls, the three owners of the club should try to clean up their establishment and get it back in business.
The Lansing City Council voted in March to block renewal of the club’s liquor license. Now the owners of the L.A. Globe, 6810 S. Cedar St. in Lansing, are claiming the council racially discriminated against them. The owners are black, as well as most of the club’s patrons.
Owners Scott Garrett and Charles Gordon have filed a $25 million federal lawsuit against the city. The costs would cover legal expenses and lost profits, attorneys say.
L.A. Globe is near the top of the list among Lansing bars for most police reports and liquor law violations. The Dollar Nightclub, 3211 E. Michigan Ave., and Coscarelli’s, 2420 S. Cedar St., have also had numerous violations.
Several police calls have been made on account of actions occurring outside the club, a few of which involved gunshot wounds. However, it is too much to expect the club be held responsible for what goes on outside its doors.
The club has also experienced frequent overcrowding, which is expected, but could be limited. It caters to a crowd largely ignored in the Lansing area and has become very popular for young black people from the Lansing and MSU communities.
It is very disappointing to see such a popular club go under. Demand for this type of bar is very high, and with a location that works for students and locals alike, it obviously draws a huge crowd.
East Lansing seems to lack a good bar scene for black students, so because of L.A. Globe’s popularity, many students are willing to travel to Lansing.
The club, which often planned special events and parties, was obviously doing something right in terms of marketing, but the owners seem to have focused more on making sure everybody had fun than following the rules.
The city council has made it clear the owners of the club are welcome to reapply for their license if they provide solid reasons about how they would improve their establishment, but Gordon and Garrett say they are not interested.
The owners are intent upon pursuing their lawsuit against the city. It looks as though they are more interested in making a point about race than keeping their club open.
Although L.A. Globe may have been unfairly targeted, there is no evidence to support their contention that the city is discriminating based on race. By pursuing a race issue, the owners are only creating a divide between themselves and the city. What they need to do is focus on positive change.
The club has a really good thing going for it - a strong clientele base. What it needs to do now is crack down on underage drinking and protect against overcrowding and it is guaranteed to make money.
