Mood Lounge has proposed major changes to its operations in an effort to have a "great working relationship with [its] neighbors" and to "survive in these hard economic times." The proposed changes were outlined in a letter received by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in mid-October. In that letter, Mood Lounge's owner sought approval for the following operational changes:- Caribbean cuisine to be served on the first level from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday
- Happy hour to be held from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Sunday. The happy hour would "include diversified food and competitive neighborhood prices"
- Community events, including block parties, live jazz, poetry reading, and book drives
It's not clear whether any action is required by the Board. The Board reviewed the letter at a meeting held on November 14, 2012, but its disposition of the request was to treat it as a "For Your Information" letter.
The letter also stated that the following changes would be made:
- A general manager would be hired to manage day-to-day operations
- Metropolitan Police Department reimbursable details would be employed on Friday and Saturday nights
- Soundproofing would be installed on the wall that Mood Lounge shares with 1316 9th Street, NW.
[A]fter careful thought and consideration, I have changed my ideas and views from sitting in many of the ANC board meetings and have learned from the board and the community. We will have a new direction of what we want to achieve for this establishment, and have decided to be what this community needs me to be, an asset for the area.
Mood Lounge is located at 1318 9th Street, NW, and has been the subject of a number of neighborhood complaints and its license was recently suspended for ten days.
A copy of the letter is after the jump.
Mood Lounge Letter
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUnstable LivesFriday, November 16, 2012 5:50:00 AM EST
ReplyDeleteMimi Beyene (who runs the MOOD Lounge business) stated very clearly at the recent Blagden Alley/Naylor Court Association meeting (Nov 13 2012) that she has bought a nightclub license and intends to continue with her nightclub activities on Fridays and Saturdays until 3 a.m. each day. This business has been characterized as a "rogue nightclub" by the senior administration of the DC Police and has long been on the radar of ABRA and the mayor's office. In fact a special multiagency task force has been established to deal with this particular nightclub. That any business in DC is considered to be so dangerous to the neighborhood and its own patrons that a police presence is required should raise eyebrows and loud protests.
This shift in "business model proposal" sounds like just more of the same from her. Wolf in sheep's clothing.
She admitted that she has studied the nightclub business for 15 years and this is what she wants to do. It's her "dream."
For the neighborhood her dream has been a nightmare.
If the business is changing its name and its management and the property is now owned by a new individual, then there should be a new restrictive covenant negotiated with the community through the ANC.
It was strongly suggested to Ms. Beyene at the meeting that she drop the nightclub segment of her new "business plan." The community is anxious to see her succeed, but to do while respecting the law, city codes and her Voluntary Agreement with the community.
Otherwise it's more of the S.O.S.