2012

Council Moments; Rex Rolfing’s foot, fornicating bar patrons & bath salts

l3wis November 21, 2012 20Comments

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.