CLEARLAKE ? Silk”s Bar and Grill has opened on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, although not under the terms owner Andre Williams would have liked. Williams has been granted a conditional Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license, which places many restrictions on the operation of the business.
According to the ABC, its decision was based on evidence provided by the Clearlake Police Department (CPD).
Despite the fact that the business location, the former Mario”s Lodge, has been a leading entertainment venue in the community for more than 70 years, the conditional license prohibits activities and amenities that would support like operations. “This building has been the center of entertainment in the City of Clearlake for more than 70 years. It seems the CPD”s effort to prevent us from making a viable business in this location is prejudicial,” Kevin Hammes, Williams” business partner said. “This building has sat empty for more than two years. All we are trying to do is bring back something that has already existed and create more employment opportunities in our city.”
Restrictions on the liquor license prohibits live music, “happy hour” specials and limits hours of operation to 10 a.m. to midnight. The license also requires a minimum of two uniformed guards registered with the California Department of Consumer Affairs be on duty each day of the week that business is operating between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight. One security guard is to be specifically assigned to the parking lot area.
“We don”t even have such a security company around here. The CPD is trying to make this impossible,” Williams said. “You can walk into any other like establishment in this city and not see any uniformed security. It doesn”t seem fair to have this sort of requirement attached to it especially since I have an 18-year history of good business in the city.”
According to declaration issued by ABC, its decision to grant a conditional ABC license was based on “substantial evidence” provided by the Clearlake Police Department, which allegedly identified problems, which exist at the premises or in its immediate vicinity. The document states that by reason of existence of substantial evidence of identifiable problems at the premises or its immediate vicinity, grounds exist for denial of liquor license transfer and that the issuance of an unrestricted license would be contrary to public welfare and morals.
“When I began pursuing this business venture, the city did not indicate to me that there would be a problem reestablishing this type of business in this location,” Williams said. “Now that the CPD has told the ABC licensing administration that the ?issuance of an unrestricted license would be contrary to public welfare and morals,” the possibility of succeeding in this venture has become next to impossible.”
Williams had big plans for the venue including a grand opening celebration featuring friend and colleague MC Hammer and other well-renowned entertainers. “I wanted to have a place to bring live music back to Clearlake, even big band music and blues,” Williams said. “I also had a transportation plan for patrons after closing. I think it”s really important to keep our customers and our community safe so I was going to provide transportation after closing.”
Williams said his breakfast plans have crumbled as well. “I wanted to do breakfast on the weekends,” he said. “So, after closing our patrons could come over, have breakfast and then we could taxi them out. With the hour restriction on the license ABC granted, I can”t even do that. I can”t serve breakfast period.”
Williams said he intends to operate in accordance with the conditional license while he entertains and pursues appeal process.
He said the appeal could take as long as a year to complete. The first event Williams will host will be a New Year”s Eve celebration. HBO comedian Shawn Peabody will headline a comedy show beginning 6 p.m. Admission is $20 at door.
Silk”s is located at 14825 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Current hours of operation are 10 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
