Smithville strip club comes under fire
It appears the gentlemen’s club east of Smithville is operating legally, but those seeking a form of local regulation for the strip club may have found it.
Some residents have complained about The Midnight Express Lounge which opened early this month on Highway 70 East. The property owner is listed as Jesus Villa while the lounge beer license is listed in the name of J.F. of Tennessee Incorporated. The Smithville Review has learned there are two stockholders of that corporation and they both live in Chicago.
Hilton Conger, the county’s legal counsel, said the DeKalb County Commission could adopt, by two-thirds majority, the Adult-Oriented Establishment Registration Act of 1998. Under the act, a five-member board would be established and could issue (or refuse) adult-oriented business permits similar to a beer board.
While the gentlemen’s club would be grandfathered in, it would have to come into compliance with the regulations of the act within 120 days. For example, “any intoxicating liquor or malt beverage served or consumed on the premises of an adult-oriented establishment” would be grounds for revocation, suspension or annulment of its license.
In other words, the strip club could stay open, but it couldn’t serve beer. Adopting the act would also be used to regulate future adult-oriented businesses that might consider locating here, another concern of many local residents.
Sheriff Lloyd Emmons said his office is keeping an eye on the club. Although he has received only one complaint, which came Monday afternoon, Emmons said, “If I find out any laws are being broken, we’re going to do our best to shut them down.”
“It appears to me the man who opened this up really did his homework,” Emmons said. “As far as the club itself goes, it’s my understanding there’s nothing we can do about it, but there may be something we can do with the individual dancers and that’s what we’re discussing with the DA’s office and the county attorney.”
His reference was to a state law regarding indecent exposure. That law states “A person commits the offense of public indecency who, in a public place, knowingly or intentionally appears in a state of nudity.” However, he wonders if a club that charges admission is considered a public place.
While not confirmed, the sheriff said his office had heard rumors the club had “look-outs” for law enforcement personnel. To counter, Emmons said his office sent in a civilian to check out the establishment. The civilian claimed there were cases of nudity but added “it was well run.”
“It’s not the type of sleazy establishment where they’re offering sexual favors in the back room,” Emmons said based on his informant’s information. “I do have to say from the appearances, this man does run a pretty tight ship. He’s not allowing fighting, rowdiness, that type of thing. He has certain rules he goes by including customers keeping their hands off the dancers. He’s indicated he does not want drugs in there or anything else (like that).”