Neighbors no like Kirkwood Bar and Grill

[Eurotrash]

And of course it all comes down to race...banal but somewhat entertaining.

http://whatnowatlanta.com/2011/08/19/residents-try-to-shutter-kirkwood-bar-and-grill-owner-tweets-theyre-racist/

[Go Sox]

Ah, yes, lord forbid that the "Fifth Avenue of Atlanta" (how I and others of Atlanta's upper crust refer to Kirkwood's main street) allow a "sports bar", particularly not one with lovely refinished wood, high ceilings and comfortable booths. And *GASP* flat screen tv's.  We were all pretty convinced that Tiffanys was opening up in that spot.

What's next??  A Mexican restaurant destroying the high class luster of EAV?  How DARE they open a business in an empty (*cough* twice failed *cough*) former restaurant building!  The nerve!   
 
 
 

[bbmc]

I think it's the VIP club aspect, and the type of clientele that have frequented it, that most people are craw-twisted about.

[meltco]

Do they serve hookah's [sic]?

[Go Sox]

I think it's the VIP club aspect, and the type of clientele that have frequented it, that most people are craw-twisted about.

I'm just laughing because my sister and I accidentally strolled in while they were doing construction (we thought they were open) and the owner was there and was nice enough and told us to come in when they were open.  We weren't made to feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, and the place was being converted to a really high end sports bar. We were impressed with the renovations.

Do they realize they're in Kirkwood?   

[LClayton]

Anybody wanna buy a house?  I think I need to get out of the south. 

[lorelei]

Go Sox, did you read the article? (or more specifically, the comments) 5 felony arrests on site in 3 months? customers and their cars blocking the street?
I haven't been over there, but if the above is true, maybe the neighbors might have a legitimate beef about some of what's going on in or around the restaurant-turned-bar, and maybe those issues need to be addressed and worked out instead of just being dismissed as "whitey is racist and wants to keep black people from having any fun".

[Dave2PVD]

I wonder if the NPU Chair is on the bar's payroll?

[Go Sox]

I did read the comments, and while J-Dizzle claims there have been 5 felony arrests "in the vicinity" in 90 days, I'd like to see evidence that this club (if that is true it's a club) is the cause.  How many "felony arrests" took place before that?  Who is this J-Dizzle who knows so much about the arrest record of Kirkwood?  Why is J-Dizzle claiming the streets are blocked and innocent people just can't drive down that really wide street because of this club and its nefarious actions!  Who is J-Dizzle anyway?  Enquiring minds want to know!! 

All kidding aside, the club could be a nightmare, true, but the article is really vague and the comments kind of bizarre.  I'd like to hear from someone over there before forming an opinion.     

[barbecuesteve]

The area includes some sketchy bits. I wouldn't hold that location responsible for the cracktivity around the corner.

[Go Sox]

Here is J-Dizzle's comment.   They have security and an off-duty APD cop on the payroll?  How dare they!!  (isn't that what people have been shouting at business owners in EAV to do...??)


J-Dizzle August 19, 2011 at 9:48 am #
I watched the entire video, and the owner, David Johnson told outright lies, specifically regarding his promotions – I personally have seen posters, tweets and FB posts advertising “2-for-1 Tuesdays” (note, drink specials like that are illegal in Atlanta), “ladies drink free ’til 10″, and “hottest black dress wins $100.” Yet, he’s a restaurant?

It was hilarious when the owner talked for a while about being a restaurant, then admitted that he had security inside and off-duty APD outside his establishment. To their credit, the LRB immediately asked “why does a restaurant need security?”, but somehow Johnson managed to blame the HOA for the security.

The guy seems nice enough, but unfortunately, he’s turned downtown Kirkwood into a mini-freaknik, complete with throngs of patrons “tailgating” across the street and blocking the street while people are just trying to drive through on Hosea. I can’t imagine being the poor folks living in Kirkwood Station having to deal with this nonsense.

Another fact that was not able to be introduced (b/c of the “address” of KB&G being shared with several other businesses – mind you, that all close @ 5:00), was that there have been 5 felony arrests at that location (or immediate vicinity) in the 90 days that it has been opened. As Mr. Williamson indicated, these stats were provided by the zone 6 commander, but again, were techincally inadmissable.

He’ll get his permit back, but he’ll get shut down quick if he makes one small mis-step (or if one of his patrons does).

[lorelei]

so it really doesn't make you go    at what the owner of the bar wrote on twitter?   You really think people of kirkwood are so racist they're trying to shut down a perfectly nice and quiet bar for no reason other than it's patronized by black people?

[LClayton]

Might want to look at the race of the person spearheading the campaign against this place.  I don't have enough info to be 100% sure, but from what I have heard it would probably throw the owner's theory of racism out the window...

[Go Sox]

Not necessarily. This guy makes a fair point. Even though the owner was nice when we met him, his "oh poor me, the white people hate me" comments are a bit much and I did the eye roll, particularly since not everyone complaining is white!! 

If this guy is correct and it really is just noise being the issue, it needs to be dealt with. If the guy is following code and the law and the people just don't like the use, that's another story altogether.   


Randy August 19, 2011 at 9:59 am #
The fact that Mr. Johnson pulls race into this only shows me that he is the one who is the racist. And because he has no good argument to support being open late he turns to this. How sad, sir.

The only issue on the table is that people live in that building. People that paid a lot of money to own a town home in Kirkwood. And them having to hear loud partying during late hours when they are trying to get sleep before work.

It could be white, black, green, purple people down there. Noise has no color!

[MRice]

"Downtown Kirkwood"?