Post by news on Jul 29, 2006 8:20:41 GMT -8
www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_4111063
Coffee shop faces closure
Azusa warns owners to stop music
By Marianne Love Staff Writer
AZUSA - A conflict is brewing between city officials and the owner of a downtown coffeehouse.
Smart City Grinds, which holds weekday and weekend Christian music and rock concerts, faces closure if it doesn't stop the music, city officials said.
They say owner Alex Gonsales doesn't have a license to operate a concert hall. But Gonsales said he can't compete with Starbucks next door, so without live music he's pretty much out of business.
The cafe holds about 400 people, with concert audiences averaging about 100, said Gonsales, who bought the business in July 2005.
Assistant City Manager Robert Person said a permit to the original owners issued for Aug. 2, 2000, through March 7, 2006, was for a computer lab and training operations. The then-owners, John and Debbie Moore, operated the business as an Internet cafe and also provided live music. City officials attended their grand opening, which featured live music.
Person said Gonsales applied for a renewal as a coffee house and live entertainment, but was told to get approval from the fire, building and health departments.
"He never returned with any information and is operating without a business license," Person said.
Person also said the music is attracting undesirables who vandalize, deface property and urinate on buildings.
Gonsales said he has a permit and has hired extra security to deal with the crowds and complaints.
"I'm being strong-armed by city officials," Gonsales said.
His attorney, Art Santana of Covina, said Person's actions smack of a personal vendetta.
Santana said Person's wife works at Coldwell Banker next to Smart City Grinds.
Its owners have complained about the noise, Santana said, and he believes that's why Person is coming down on his client.
"It smacks of nepotism and \ personal," Santana said. Person denied his wife worked at Coldwell Banker. Her name appears on their Web site as a sales associate, but Person said she worked for the owner for three days and has since sought employment elsewhere.
"\ worked ... July 10 through July 12," Person said. " ... to infer I have a special favor for \ is the furthest thing from the truth."
Azusa City Attorney Sonia Carvalho wrote in a letter to Santana on Thursday that no one in the city is seeking to "close down" your client's business.
"In fact, city staff believes with proper regulatory oversight your client's business can be an asset. Mr. Person's involvement has been necessitated because he has received telephone complaints from surrounding merchants about your client's business operations and the city code enforcement officer is currently on vacation," Carvalho wrote.
Gonsales said city officials first told him neighbors were complaining, but when he produced letters praising him for bringing more people downtown, city officials changed their tune.
Peggy Martinez, director of the Downtown Azusa Business Association, said she knew the loud music would eventually become a problem as new businesses began to fill up the formerly vacant, deteriorating buildings and spend money to renovate them.
"The kids that come here don't live in Azusa and the come in from another city and disrespect our city," Martinez said.
The Christian and rock bands usually play 7:30 to 11p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Azusa police Capt. Gene Street said long lines of people have attracted his department's attention and officers consequently monitor the place.
Street said there have been some complaints and calls but not a significant number of arrests.
"But, we do keep an eye on it," Street said.
Coffee shop faces closure
Azusa warns owners to stop music
By Marianne Love Staff Writer
AZUSA - A conflict is brewing between city officials and the owner of a downtown coffeehouse.
Smart City Grinds, which holds weekday and weekend Christian music and rock concerts, faces closure if it doesn't stop the music, city officials said.
They say owner Alex Gonsales doesn't have a license to operate a concert hall. But Gonsales said he can't compete with Starbucks next door, so without live music he's pretty much out of business.
The cafe holds about 400 people, with concert audiences averaging about 100, said Gonsales, who bought the business in July 2005.
Assistant City Manager Robert Person said a permit to the original owners issued for Aug. 2, 2000, through March 7, 2006, was for a computer lab and training operations. The then-owners, John and Debbie Moore, operated the business as an Internet cafe and also provided live music. City officials attended their grand opening, which featured live music.
Person said Gonsales applied for a renewal as a coffee house and live entertainment, but was told to get approval from the fire, building and health departments.
"He never returned with any information and is operating without a business license," Person said.
Person also said the music is attracting undesirables who vandalize, deface property and urinate on buildings.
Gonsales said he has a permit and has hired extra security to deal with the crowds and complaints.
"I'm being strong-armed by city officials," Gonsales said.
His attorney, Art Santana of Covina, said Person's actions smack of a personal vendetta.
Santana said Person's wife works at Coldwell Banker next to Smart City Grinds.
Its owners have complained about the noise, Santana said, and he believes that's why Person is coming down on his client.
"It smacks of nepotism and \ personal," Santana said. Person denied his wife worked at Coldwell Banker. Her name appears on their Web site as a sales associate, but Person said she worked for the owner for three days and has since sought employment elsewhere.
"\ worked ... July 10 through July 12," Person said. " ... to infer I have a special favor for \ is the furthest thing from the truth."
Azusa City Attorney Sonia Carvalho wrote in a letter to Santana on Thursday that no one in the city is seeking to "close down" your client's business.
"In fact, city staff believes with proper regulatory oversight your client's business can be an asset. Mr. Person's involvement has been necessitated because he has received telephone complaints from surrounding merchants about your client's business operations and the city code enforcement officer is currently on vacation," Carvalho wrote.
Gonsales said city officials first told him neighbors were complaining, but when he produced letters praising him for bringing more people downtown, city officials changed their tune.
Peggy Martinez, director of the Downtown Azusa Business Association, said she knew the loud music would eventually become a problem as new businesses began to fill up the formerly vacant, deteriorating buildings and spend money to renovate them.
"The kids that come here don't live in Azusa and the come in from another city and disrespect our city," Martinez said.
The Christian and rock bands usually play 7:30 to 11p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Azusa police Capt. Gene Street said long lines of people have attracted his department's attention and officers consequently monitor the place.
Street said there have been some complaints and calls but not a significant number of arrests.
"But, we do keep an eye on it," Street said.
