Africa? Latin America? What’s the difference?
Trust me, this isn’t the first time Rolfing has put his foot in his mouth while addressing immigrant business owners. While interviewing the owner of the Mercato c-store (Who is an African immigrant) he says “Sir, I have traveled throughout Africa, and I am just curious what the word ‘Mercato’ means?” The owner leans into the microphone slowly, and kind of confused says, “Uh, it’s the Spanish Latin word for ‘Market’.” (sic). I think I would have said “Not sure, I don’t speak Latin. I got a good deal on the sign off of Craig’s list.”
The highlight of the evening though was the review of the Vault’s liquor license renewal, which got referred to the December 4th meeting. But not before testimony about bar patrons ‘urinating’ and ‘fornicating’ in the streets. Personally, it doesn’t really matter how long they defer this decision, I think the council will revoke the license. The only real defense the Vault has is that they were there first and the hotels built around him. The major problem I see is that he has 86 parking spots for a bar that holds 640 people. It’s like the new events center parking dilemma on a smaller scale. Can’t wait to see what kind of ‘fornicating’ happens in McCart field after a C&W concert at the new EC.
I have often suggested that bars have NO parking lots. If you want people to stop drinking and driving, stop giving them a place to park while getting intoxicated at your establishment. I’m just sayin’.
But I would like to congratulate Vishnu Bunny Tattoo owner, Jeff Mann for successfully securing a malt beverage license for his gallery. State law already prevents Jeff from serving alcohol in his shop while tattooing patrons. He asked for the license to serve beer once or twice a month during art gallery opening receptions, etc. The tattooing operations would be shut down during the receptions. I will have to give Jeff credit, he has acted in a very professional manner in moving his business downtown, and am glad to see him following procedure when it comes to serving alcohol. Jeff stressed last night that his place ‘will not become a bar’. Of course it didn’t stop the downtown fuddie-duddies from showing up and crying about the riff-raff a tattoo shop and lowbrow art gallery bring in. Ironically two of the complainers were a wine shop owner (someone who sells alcohol) and a gallery owner (well, you know, he sells art). There was also a flower shop owner who had to bring up closing the loop for a reason, and she went so far to go to Vishnu’s FB page and find a comment someone made about ZombieWalk and using ‘bath salts’ at Vishnu Bunny that night. I can tell you I have attended many openings and parties at Vishnu, one time, even with the mayor in attendance. And I have yet to see anyone using illicit drugs.
It’s these same fuddie-duddies who closed the loop down to begin with so they could have DT to themselves and their yuppie clientele. Vibrant downtown areas of any city thrive by being the cultural and dining focal point of the city, that inlcudes a mix of all kinds of businesses. Just think about, where else in Sioux Falls can you say there is brokerage, a gift store, a toy store, a cigar bar, a pool hall and tattoo shop all on the same block? You can’t. It’s time the fuddie-duddies in SF embraced business diversity DT and stopped fighting it. It is 2012 not 1952.
Councilors Rolfing, Karsky and Aguliar voted against granting Vishnu a license. I was surprised that Rolfing didn’t ask Jeff what ‘Vishnu‘ meant.
The Vault is a trainwreck just as Coconut Joe’s and the Lava Lounge were before them. The same element that has destroyed the previous attempts at putting a nightclub there will destroy The Vault just as they destroyed several different bars that have opened in the old Homer’s location.
I know people bash Buck’s a lot (and for good reason) but they have done a few things right. First, they have a lot of security and they are quick to toss someone out if they start causing a problem. Second, they have their DJs play country music every now and then which serves to keep a certain type of person away.
When you play nothing but rap, hip-hop, and dance music you are going to attract the crowd that ends up causing a lot of problems. When you have half the number of security guards you need (and when none of them seem to do any parking lot monitoring beyond what they can see standing at the door) things will end badly.
Funny to think Scarletts is right down the street and you don’t hear major problems coming from their patrons. Why? Because their security will escort people off the property and even call the police to have them removed if they refuse to vacate.
L3wis – are you sure the Vault was there before those hotels?? I’m pretty sure those hotels did exist before they opened under their current name and management.
Rolfing just screwed the theory that there is no such thing as a dumb question! LMAO!!
I’m surprised he didn’t ask him what part of Latin America he was from. He should have just asked Entenman what Mercato meant 🙂 The look on Sue’s face is priceless when Rex says ‘travels to Africa’ she gives this look to the mayor like, “WTF is Rolfing doing now?” (FF to 1:11)
Second, they have their DJs play country music every now and then which serves to keep a certain type of person away.
Wow!!! You’d be talking about “knee-grows” and their devil music I reckon? Costello’s borrowed bucks is just as troubling as anything else going down in this town with it’s shit kickin’ boob parlor appeal.
MMM wants a do-over!
http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/huether-wants-second-vote-on-tattoo-shop-beer-license/?id=140261.
This is going to get interesting.
Um, unless they changed in the last two or three years Buck specifically caters to “that” crowd on Tuesday nights.
Bucks not Buck.
I sure am glad I don’t go to bars.
Is it still ok to fornicate out there if you’re doing it on top of your own car?
Good riddance to Vault if booze license is not renewed. Went there a couple time before when it opened, was not impressed at all… lot of odd people and I have seen some weird shits in there. Bucks is okay on some certain nights but is a meat market.
ROFL about Rolfing.
I would be Rolfing-on-the-floor-laughing about Rex if it wasn’t so embarrassingly sad that he is an actual ELECTED official (of course, this city and state boast Denny D., Congresswoman Hairdo, BK Gant, and MMM, sooooo…)
About the Vault, been there only twice this year for the Melvins and Hold Steady shows. Didn’t see any problems either night, but those were special events on nights that the place is usually closed.
About Vishnu – Jeff and his crew have been a great addition to downtown. They are scrupulous about following rules and keeping patrons in line. And as far as attracting “that kind of crowd” to downtown, I’ve seen FAR worse drunken behavior at times from supposed “upright citizens” at ICON, Crawfords, and Stoogeez. And, anyway, doesn’t Der Huether have some other special interest group to funnel our tax dollars into instead of worrying about this???
Mike wants a do-over? WTF?! Leave it alone. The bath salt incident was about a parody sign Vishnu had in their window, and some people 1) don’t have a sense of humor 2) Jeff would be loosing a lot of money if he was selling bath salts for a dollar. Seems like the fuddie-duddies are pissing and moaning about nothing.
Poly: “Wow!!! You’d be talking about “knee-grows†and their devil music I reckon?”
No actually… And frankly you’re an ass for suggesting I’m a racist. You’re also an ignorant ass for somehow thinking only African Americans are interested in rap or hip hop. Maybe I shouldn’t blame you as you likely haven’t been in a club in a few decades, because if you had been you would soon realize the real problem element at these clubs is the group of guys who thinks they need to prove how large their penises are by challenging everyone around them to a fight… and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Trust me I’ve seen it time and time again and the same type of people have ruined many a bar in Sioux Falls. But don’t let that stop you from calling people racists based upon YOUR assumptions.
Wudn’t that the plot of the hit movie “Roadhouse”, Craig?
And Kelly Lynch is still HOT!
How Roadhouse didn’t win an Oscar for best picture I’ll never know. I mean… how can you not honor a film with the line “pain don’t hurt”?
It is a travesty.
…they have their DJs play country music every now and then which serves to keep a certain type of person away. When you play nothing but rap, hip-hop, and dance music you are going to attract the crowd that ends up causing a lot of problems.
Craig, True enough, I have never been in the vault or any of it’s previous incarnations. I’ve been in bucks a few times over the years. Enough to know it’s not for me. I’m not really a fan of either type of music. I’ll stick with the Stones, Doors, Beatles, Springsteen,and covers like them. (Thank you Scott H.) I admit I do have a pre-conceived notion about music genres, and their cultural, social, and racial roots. Whether it’s Merle Haggard or Ice-T, the music is about an urban vs country lifestyle, as it was in their roots, as it is today. One is rooted in a black urban lifestyle, while the other is rooted in a white country lifestyle. I am also not naive enough to believe only blacks listen to rap. Pretty easy tho to see how one could read your words with racial undertones. That being said…one thing no one here can do is read tone. I accept your explanation and accept you meant no racial slur.
Fair enough… and honestly Poly I’m not a hug fan of the rap or hip hop genres, but in my age range I’m in the minority. Looking at the Billboard charts just confuses me these days.
I will agree the roots of rap or hip hop is more urban, and I will also agree that the roots of country is in the well…country. There are probably associations with race which may never fully be erased, but I would argue those associations are starting to become blurred more and more (which is a good thing – even if it isn’t my thing).
That said, maybe my opinion is somewhat biased based upon personal experience (and we all know personal experience may not reflect the full story), but it seems anytime I’ve been in a club or bar that caters to people who love rap or hip hop, it always ends up being the type of bar that drives women away due to the overabundance of testosterone… and next thing you know guys are either fighting over the few women left, or they just decide to fight to occupy the time.
I’m sure sociologists could spend years studying this crap, but at the end of the day it just ends up being the type of place a lot of people (yours truly included) have no desire to frequent. I’ve predicted several club closures over the past decade, and it just seems that there is a pattern at play here.
“and next thing you know guys are either fighting over the few women left, or they just decide to fight to occupy the time.”
So you have been to Alaska?
No… but the oil fields of North Dakota are the same way.