General Reports

Looks like this place is going to become nothing more than a memory even if they win the case the government has against them. Seems like the landlord figures is eh does this he does not loose a year's worth of rent on the building if Sugars closes, so sort of looking after his own ass.

Sugar's landlord moves to evict By Tory Brecht | Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The owner of the building that houses Sugar’s Exotic Dancers told the city’s legal department he has ordered club owner Dorothy Sampson to vacate the premises by Jan. 1.

City attorney Brian Heyer said if building owner Dale Labath follows through with the eviction, the city will not seek an order that would keep the premises vacant for one year.

Labath, along with Sampson, are co-defendants in a lawsuit the city filed seeking a nuisance abatement for the club — located at 1037 W. Third St. — because of alleged prostitution.

“If we prosecuted this to a successful conclusion, Dale would be without the use of his property for a year,” Heyer said. “I’m willing to waive that if she, indeed, is vacated from the building and an acceptable use for the building is found.”

In an e-mail sent to a concerned downtown business owner, Heyer stated, “Dale has agreed that there will be no adult entertainment operation of any kind located at the property.”

Neither Labath nor Sampson could be reached Monday.

Sue Simms, owner of AVS Inc., an audio-video rental business across the street from Sugar’s, said she’s satisfied with that deal.

“As long as the city has some say (about what goes in), with the understanding that we’ve all been upset with what’s been going on in there, and they don’t allow something equally troublesome in, I don’t have a problem,” she said.

Shelley Sheehy, an activist with the West Central Business District organization, said cleaning up Sugar’s is a good first-step in cleaning up the near-west downtown neighborhood.

A survey of 26 businesses conducted by the organization a year ago found that 25 listed open prostitution during the day as a “burden” on area business.

“This won’t clear it all up, but it sends a strong message,” she said. “It sends the message that law enforcement and the city are working together to help this neighborhood.”

Like Simms, she doesn’t mind if Labath has use of the property, as long as Sugar’s closes down.

“I’d say it’s a positive step if he, indeed, takes that step,” she said. “Our problem has always been with the business. I hate to be pessimistic about it, but we’ll see what happens after Jan. 1.”

Background

The City of Davenport filed suit in Scott County District Court last month, seeking to have Sugar’s Exotic Dancers closed because of accusations of prostitution on the premises. Last week, a judge allowed Sugar’s to stay open while the lawsuit continues in court.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Quad-City Times or Lee Enterprises.

Westender wrote on December 12, 2006 5:27 AM:"Good Deal"

just crazy wrote on December 12, 2006 7:01 AM:"If the judge is letting this business stay open during the investication, why not let drug dealers continue to sell, until their trial comes to date? That's just how crazy it sounds.If it is against the law, shut them down!"

A Wise Decision wrote on December 12, 2006 7:21 AM:"I have tried to look at all sides of the issue on Sugars. The business is filling a 'need,' or it wouldn't have prospered. The 'ladies of the night' will be forced out onto the streets. This is a side of life that I know so little about that I can only hope everyone involved is as safe as before the business closes, (if it does). You want to say 'What good comes from prosperity, if you lose your soul?' But who has a right to 'throw a stone' when we all sin? Mr. Labath made a good business decision that is also a good personal decision. The quotes from Ms. Simms and Sheehy are pessimistic, but I believe that Mr. Labath's decision will spare everyone concerned a lot of grief, and I applaud him."

I wish I would have tried Sugar's the night I decided to try the "Nails" place a couple blocks away. It was 2 years ago, the girl was very thin & attractive, but I ended up getting a $.1 HJ from a girl who might as well have been asleep. Now, it's too late. :(

[QUOTE=Captain Stiffy]Getting back to Tuxedo's, they now have several VIP rooms where you can take a girl. It costs just $5, then the same per-dance price applies. I asked a couple dancers if that was the only difference (being alone). They said yes. Hmmmm. I'm curious. Anyone know?[/QUOTE]

That's basically correct. When the rooms first opened, the girls told me that they were under videocamera surveillance. (Take a peek at the monitors behind the counter when you first come in and pay the cover charge.) So, while a girl might be less inhibited in a private room than she would be on a public couch, she won't go so far as to do something that would get her in trouble with the club management.

Thanks for the tip, & saving me money. ;)

A warning- posting this bit in all the areas I have posted a few times. This is something that happened to me last month and was not quite sure how to deal with it.

I was at a fairly nice hotel for a conference in a city where I have never been cruising for girls nor posted. Their wireless interent was having problems and in the morning while waiting for events to get underway I decided to make use of a computer they had hooked up online for use by guests. I checked my email and decied to take a look at this forum. Tried this once before at a "public" terminal and found it was blocked since it was a site dealing with sex. This hotel did not have it blocked. As soon as I got to the front page I noticed it said I had about a dozen unread messages, which surprised me. Clicked to read them it took me a few seconds before it dawned on me these were not my messages since I had never been asked to sign in. Something the forum asks me to do everytime I try to look at a picture, post something or look at messages. They were for someone else, I'll call him Pencil Dick Guy or PDG. It was not PDG and I suspect no one will name themselves that so I figure it is a safe name to use. PDG was soeone who had been a regaular poster in one of the cities I have been posting in. It said his last sign in was in May, coinciding with his last report here. I could have been a real jerk and posted some reports on him saying how I had decied to switch sides and was now a flaming fag and was now hanging out with all th hot transvestites. But I did not. Not sure why it thought I was him. Word of warning that if you use a computer that is not yours it could keep you signed in for a long time and someone you do not know could get access to your account and cause mischief. Never did check the forum for info on the town I was in since getting access to Pencil Dick Guy's account had me a bit spooked.

That being said. Saw a new one posting on the QC section of Craigslist nmed Brenda. Have not seen that many women who look like her either on CL, in strip clubs or a SW and think you would have a hard time finding a girl like her if that is what you really wanted!

I have chatted with this woman on Yahoo, a couple years ago. She used to run an escort service, as well as work. She had some pics of some cute, young, thin girls on there. She must not do that anymore. You could send her an e-mail, & ask her about it, but that would basically be saying "I don't want YOU, but if you know of any better looking women...."

Landlord finally gets the message on Sugar's Thursday, December 14, 2006

Davenport’s cat-and-mouse game with Sugar’s house of prostitution finally got the attention of the business’s landlord. Dale A. Labath, of 3426 Fairhaven Road, Davenport, has alerted the city that he will evict Sugar’s from the building he’s rented to them at 1037 W. 3rd St.

Sugar’s owner Dorothy Sampson tried to dodge the city’s effort to close the business, claiming what goes on behind the closed doors in Labath’s building isn’t her business. Her business, apparently is attracting men who contract independently with the women who work for Sampson in Labath’s building. The nature of that business is made clear by the scores of new and used condoms confiscated by police during repeated raids and undercover prostitution investigations.

Still, building owner Labath continued to accommodate the business year after year. Now, faced with an aggressive and long-awaited crackdown by Davenport’s city legal, Labath got the message. The city was prepared to close Sugar’s and prohibit any business from occupying Labath’s property for a year. Now the landlord says he’ll kick Sugar’s out now, rather than face a year with no tenant.

Labath might have overlooked complaints from other West 3rd Street business owners about the blight Sugar’s put on their neighborhood. But we’re glad to see his response now and hope he’ll join the strong group of local business owners who have higher aspirations for this neighborhood.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Quad-City Times or Lee Enterprises.

Slim Shady wrote on December 14, 2006 11:16 AM:"He may hope that others may mind their own business, but it isn't likely."

Chuck wrote on December 14, 2006 11:49 AM:"The blight on W 3rd Street? It's certainly not Sugar's! Look around. The entire area is kind of a dump. At least Sugar's is a thriving business and contributes to the ciy's tax base. The fact that the city is targeting this one business and one landlord is totally unfair. This stems from the city cow-towing to the bible thumpers who have decided to target Sugar's even though they've never been in the place. How about the city directing the police to go out and fight real crime. How about if they concentrate on busting the meth labs and putting a stop top the endless gun crime in this city. I suspect the officers think it's a lot easier duty to sit undercover at Sugar's than out busting dangerous criminals who might actually fight back. It is pathetic that the city actually bows down to the right-wing talk show host on the local talk radio station at 3PM, instead on concentrating on the dangerous crime in this city that affects so many more people than ANYTHING that goes on at Sugars. I guess this radio personality doesn't believe in personal freedom, even though he likes to talk like his party is the one for LESS gov't intrusion in our lives. Typical."

I'm sure the landlord will miss the blowjob rental fee he's been getting for years.

Oh, well...better looking women coming soon to the street menu.

He might miss the rent for as long as it takes to find a new tenant, which he should be able to do in less than the year the city wants to lock him out for, but you really can't blame him. He made a solid business decision, no doubt based on the assumptions that the city will not give up until Sugars is closed, and even if the city did lay off for the time being, with Sugars under the microscope it would be difficult for them to make a profit. After all who would pay the prices they charge for a legitimate dance. There is much better quality available for less in just about any of the local clubs. Sugars best bet now is to close up shop and find another spot where their neighbors will be less vocal to the city. Personally I can't believe they lasted as long as they have being so close to downtown and all the government buildings in the area. From what I have seen places such as this do much better on the outskirts of town where they can maintain a lower profile. That being said I wholeheartedly agree that the city could find better ways to use its resources, but thats government for you. Being fundamentally lazy they always take the low hanging fruit first.

Got to visit Island agian last week. Pretty much the same story as posted before. Good massage and happy ending for $. FS still not on the menu (at least not for me).

I recieved a PM regarding Island also. I have a question for the person who wrote me, but seem to have acidentally deleted the message. Please PM me again.

Thanks

Aloha,

Looks like slim pickins around QC, but I'll try to add what I can and appreciate the reports from the rest. I've got the next week off and am trying to hook up. I'm married, looking for something discrete. I might have a lead on a girl I know from way back, barfly. I am wondering about Michelle from vegasgirlsiniowa website... expensive, but is she worth it? I figure island spa is about the same as the port byron place... old AMP. Wish I didn't have to drive out to Chicago for a good time. Sorry for the rambling, but I've been drinking vodka all night, and looking for a hookup. I've been fishing at the local strip clubs, fine women, and I've gotten a few bites, but I'm getting a little impatient, as I want to score this week. I've just tried to post on CL, but that seems weak. Seen a couple of posts on CL, anyone had any luck there? Guess I could always go down to sugar's one last time, although seems ultra-extremely risky with all the heat on.

Oh yeah, Merry X-Mas, Mongers!

Was cruising down 3rd Street during the afternoon on the 26th and saw a 30-something dirty blonde doing the walk a couple blocks east of Sugars. She stopped to talk when I pulled over and asked if I was dating. She had bad teeth, but was OK other than that. I said "Maybe, but want to know if you're a cop." She wouldn't offer any "proof" without money first. (Didn't think she was because her first move was to try to get in the passenger side, and Leo would never get in for a ride.) She said that we could go to a wooded area just 3 minutes away, which seemed a little strange to me because I was wondering how that could be. I noticed a guy in a blue Cherokee watching from just a half block away and became suspcious, even though it was probably just another monger. In any event, I turned her down because things just didn't seem right. From the description above, does anyone know who she was and if I passed up a good one or not? I didn't get her name. Likewise, anyone ever go to "the woods" from this area?

The writing has been on the wall for this one.

In a totally unrealted story it appears as if anyone who has gotten a traffic ticket in Davenport from one of their cameras may be able to get a refund. Seems that if you get a ticket from the camera you then need to prove you are innocent instead of the city proving you are guilty. Rather lengthy article here:

[url]http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2007/01/03/news/local/doc459ac944623a9554725656.txt[/url]

PHOTO CAPTION: Nick Loomis/QUAD-CITY TIMES Sugar’s Exotic Dancers in downtown Davenport has closed and signs are in the process of being taken down.

Adult business closes its doors Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Sugar’s Exotic Dancers at 1037 W. 3rd St., Davenport, has closed.* Some business signs were seen being taken down Tuesday afternoon at the place where authorities have alleged that prostitution has occurred.

Someone answering the phone Tuesday at the location confirmed that the business had closed, but said they hope to move to another location.

Last month, the owner of the building that houses Sugar’s told the city’s legal department he has ordered club owner Dorothy Sampson to vacate the premises by Jan. 1.

City attorney Brian Heyer said at the time that if building owner Dale Labath follows through with the eviction, the city will not seek an order that would keep the premises vacant for one year.

Labath, along with Sampson, are co-defendants in a lawsuit the city filed seeking a nuisance abatement for the club because of alleged prostitution.

Last month, Heyer said: “If we prosecuted this to a successful conclusion, Dale would be without the use of his property for a year. I’m willing to waive that if (Sampson), indeed, is vacated from the building and an acceptable use for the building is found.”

Robert:

Using the "hoe finder" capabilities of Google Earth, you can not only find the former location of the strip club in Davenport on 3rd Ave, but you can see that there are several patches of "woods" a few blocks away from the area.

One of the areas looks like a park, and from personal experience, I find parks are risky, but there appear to be several opportunities for concealment in the nearby area.

I won't comment on the economic tradeoffs of using $3,000 in technology to find a $20 girl.

HHH

I saw two likely contenders yesterday. Like Christmas presents, they were all wrapped up, and there's no telling what was under the wrapping. The first one was a BSW, appeared to be twenty-something. She smiled as I made eye contact with her, but I was headed in the wrong direction. I circled the block, and she stopped as I passed, making eye contact again and smiling. She opened her mouth, spreading her lips in a large and inviting "O" as if she were already at work.

The other girl was a WSW with reddish blonde hair that looked as if it were out of a bottle. She appeared a bit older, a little rough around the edges, as if she was out of a bottle too. She smiled at me as I drove by with a look that was unmistakably inviting.