Law allows bikini club to reopen

Two pre-existing businesses located in areas where they were considered non-conforming uses are being re-established – one with a special exception, the other because it is the law.

A downtown bikini bar that closed last year after Dothan police found nude dancers entertaining clients inside during a private party, and a neighborhood grocery store that closed after its owner died, are both expected to reopen in the coming weeks.

Both businesses have been closed about a year.

The Stardust Gentleman’s Club across from City Hall, at 137 N. St. Andrews St., is being reopened by Kurt Wilkinson. It is located within the city’s newly established Downtown Overlay District, which prohibits lounges and nightclubs from opening north of Main Street.

The new owner filed his application for a special exception to operate in the district just prior to the one-year closing of the Stardust. The Alabama Beverage Control board suspended the club’s alcohol license last February.

“It has been less than one year since the business was closed,” Dothan planning staff wrote on its report to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. “Therefore, the legally non-conforming use of the building as a place of amusement and assembly has been retained.”

The new bar owner, represented by Dothan attorney Harry Hall, did not need BZA approval.

“One year has not elapsed,” BZA Chairman David Lummus said. “We don’t have any choice but to approve your client’s request.”

It is not known if the new owner plans to reopen the club as a bikini bar.

Gary Shirah with the city business license division said ABC determines what kind of license should be issue.

“Based on their recommendation, we act on that,” Shirah said. “We do have a ‘dance hall’ classification we issue for go-go and bikini dancers.”

Because the bar is in the Downtown Historic District, no exterior changes may be made to the building, including new signage, without approval from the Historic Preservation Commission.

The second business to reopen is a grocery at 507 Catalpa St., near the Morgan Street intersection, which is a residential neighborhood. Michelle Wright is re-establishing a store that closed in 2007. The building is estimated at about 2,500 square feet.

The only issue that arose prior to the unanimous granting of the exception was alcohol sales. The previous owner sold beer and Wright might also. The exception stipulated alcohol sales for off premise consumption only.

Wright agreed to put up “No Loitering” signs to prevent patrons from buying beer and drinking it outside the store, and call police if necessary.