Some strip clubs will be changing owners.
[url]http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070728/METRO01/707280356/1006[/url]
DETROIT -- The City Council on Friday authorized four strip clubs to transfer their topless entertainment permits to new buyers, signaling a change in the council's stance on adult entertainment. It's about time! Friday's four, 5-4 votes allowed Hot Tamales, Chocolate City, Crazy Horse and the Duchess Lounge to transfer their permits to new owners. If you wonder what changed their minds. The council approved a payout in June of $500,000 to the owners of downtown's Famous Door II -- now Bouzouki's II -- after the council denied the transfer in 2004. "They realize they are on shaky legal ground," said Brad Shafer, the Zoo Bar's attorney.Shafer's case is pending in U.S. District Court and, he says, it could cost millions. The new owners plan a Hustler strip club at the downtown location on Griswold. This is going to cost the tax payers more money to settle.
Nude dancing and alcohol?
Todays Det News. [url]http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070831/METRO/708310360&imw=Y[/url]
A federal appeals court ruling Thursday could pave the way for the state's 83 strip clubs to go nude and serve alcohol, at least temporarily.
The appeals court, which sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr. in Detroit, said the ban on mixing alcohol and nude dancing could still be valid, but only if the state gives better reasons for such a ban.
Strip club lawyers say the decision frees up the state's strip clubs to go nude as soon as Cook issues the formal injunction, which is expected to take about 30 days.
Several attorneys said they expect the ban to remain in the end, because federal courts have consistently upheld these prohibitions.
In the meantime, many local municipalities have their own laws regulating nude dancing and alcohol and will likely try to enforce them if topless bars make the transition to nude, although those could face court challenge as well, lawyers said.
Stay Tuned!