Bay Street nightlife showing new growth? COJ and JSO to the rescue

[thelakelander]

I could only imagine what would happen if the Vortex came to town and wanted approval to put the skull up on a building.

[Eazy E]

Dork's and Douche Bar probably weren't checked because they have big money backers behind them and the spaces themselves were probably more updated and up-to-code than TSI.

[RiversideGator]

So I guess the lesson here is to (1) keep your establishment up to code and (2) try not to attract the crowds which might be carrying and/or selling drugs.  If you do these 2 seemingly obvious things, I bet the cops and the City will not mess with you. 

[jason_contentdg]

So I guess the lesson here is to (1) keep your establishment up to code and (2) try not to attract the crowds which might be carrying and/or selling drugs.  If you do these 2 seemingly obvious things, I bet the cops and the City will not mess with you. 

The Florida Theater is totally f'd....

[jason_contentdg]

I could only imagine what would happen if the Vortex came to town and wanted approval to put the skull up on a building.

What if it was all beige stucco, though?

[gatorback]

So I guess the lesson here is to (1) keep your establishment up to code and (2) try not to attract the crowds which might be carrying and/or selling drugs.  If you do these 2 seemingly obvious things, I bet the cops and the City will not mess with you. 

Or be a high profile VIP in this city.

[BridgeTroll]

ok.  I just got off the phone with the Sheriff's Office.  Not the Sheriff himself, but his very capable spokeswoman.

JSO was hoping to clear up the nature of their involvement in the raid.

It was not a raid led by the JSO, nor did it arise from any of their internal processes.

JSO is responsible for the DART program, but DART did not initiate the program either.

The entire raid was organized by the State Alcoholic Beverages Department who asked DART and the Fire Inspector to join in the raid.

The point was made very clear during the discussion that it would be important to find out who is leading the raid(s)----(I brought up the string of closings) and that they were not led nor initiated by JSO.

She did express that DART found 18 violations (most of them extremely minor--a roof leak, unpainted areas, electrical wiring unpermitted, extension cords, charging door cover at the front tunnel, etc...)

The Fire Marshall's office is the one who made the unsafe structure determination.  At issue is the removal of a firewall in order to install a door.  The door itself was a 2 thousand dollar installation approved and suggested by the fire department.  In fact, apparently the very inspector who approved the door's installation is the one who determined it to be non code.

The Department of ABT (the State liscensing board) is who initiated the raid.

NOT JSO.

I did ask her what the hell was up with the masks etc.

She had no idea who might have been wearing them.  But if anyone wants to forward photos of the event, she will be glad to identify what department they come from.

Is it common practice for the State Alcoholic Beverages Department to conduct raids?

Is it common practice to conduct raids in conjunction with the fire marshal and DART??

Is it common practice for JSO to accompany these types of visits??

Something still doesnt smell right...

[BridgeTroll]

When you're referring to "Yuppies" I'm assuming you're talking about Mark's and Dive Bar. I really don't see how you can make a point about it being the type of crowd they were targeting, when the crowd at TSI and Real Ting is pretty much the total opposite of each other. Who's to say that Mark's and Dive Bar wasn't 'checked' in similar fashion? But I do agree that there's probably something more to it than just "Hey, let's go check for building code violations on a Friday night." That in itself is sketchy. I just don't see how there's this "initiative" about encouraging entertainment venues to open downtown and the "Make a Scene Downtown" (which is funny now that I think about it), when the raids of these venues largely come off as not being for any good reason.

mark's and dive bar were not checked in the same manner.  i'm sure we would hear about storm troopers filing into them.  while TSI and Da Real Ting don't cater to the same crowds, they do both cater to groups that many would like to see leave downtown.  if you aren't white and in an ill-fitting button down, they don't want you there.

Is it necessary to classify the crowds into hipsters/yuppies/white/button down etc??  Cmon down to artwalk and you will see all these folks getting along and having fun.  Been to all those places including TSI... not exactly my scene but been there done that and had a great time.  Are we still classifying people before we get to know em??

[BridgeTroll]

Yes to all three.

And yes something doesnt smell right.

It boils down to the reasons and motivations of the organizing party and the reasons and motivations of the complainants.

OK... but if the answer is yes to all three then it doesnt smell as bad as it did this morning... at least to me.

[konstantconsumer]

When you're referring to "Yuppies" I'm assuming you're talking about Mark's and Dive Bar. I really don't see how you can make a point about it being the type of crowd they were targeting, when the crowd at TSI and Real Ting is pretty much the total opposite of each other. Who's to say that Mark's and Dive Bar wasn't 'checked' in similar fashion? But I do agree that there's probably something more to it than just "Hey, let's go check for building code violations on a Friday night." That in itself is sketchy. I just don't see how there's this "initiative" about encouraging entertainment venues to open downtown and the "Make a Scene Downtown" (which is funny now that I think about it), when the raids of these venues largely come off as not being for any good reason.

mark's and dive bar were not checked in the same manner.  i'm sure we would hear about storm troopers filing into them.  while TSI and Da Real Ting don't cater to the same crowds, they do both cater to groups that many would like to see leave downtown.  if you aren't white and in an ill-fitting button down, they don't want you there.

Is it necessary to classify the crowds into hipsters/yuppies/white/button down etc??  Cmon down to artwalk and you will see all these folks getting along and having fun.  Been to all those places including TSI... not exactly my scene but been there done that and had a great time.  Are we still classifying people before we get to know em??

if you want to make the walk past mark's and dive bar on the way to TSI dressed in anything but tommy bahamia, and check out the looks you get, or stop by for a shot at dive bar, be my guest.  you'll see who it is causing the trouble.  i'm sure you'd love being called fag for wearing clothes not bought at the big and tall store.

[BridgeTroll]

When you're referring to "Yuppies" I'm assuming you're talking about Mark's and Dive Bar. I really don't see how you can make a point about it being the type of crowd they were targeting, when the crowd at TSI and Real Ting is pretty much the total opposite of each other. Who's to say that Mark's and Dive Bar wasn't 'checked' in similar fashion? But I do agree that there's probably something more to it than just "Hey, let's go check for building code violations on a Friday night." That in itself is sketchy. I just don't see how there's this "initiative" about encouraging entertainment venues to open downtown and the "Make a Scene Downtown" (which is funny now that I think about it), when the raids of these venues largely come off as not being for any good reason.

Then I guess some Jacksonville are not as hip and progressive as they think they are eh...?


mark's and dive bar were not checked in the same manner.  i'm sure we would hear about storm troopers filing into them.  while TSI and Da Real Ting don't cater to the same crowds, they do both cater to groups that many would like to see leave downtown.  if you aren't white and in an ill-fitting button down, they don't want you there.

Is it necessary to classify the crowds into hipsters/yuppies/white/button down etc??  Cmon down to artwalk and you will see all these folks getting along and having fun.  Been to all those places including TSI... not exactly my scene but been there done that and had a great time.  Are we still classifying people before we get to know em??

if you want to make the walk past mark's and dive bar on the way to TSI dressed in anything but tommy bahamia, and check out the looks you get, or stop by for a shot at dive bar, be my guest.  you'll see who it is causing the trouble.  i'm sure you'd love being called fag for wearing clothes not bought at the big and tall store.

Then I guess some in Jacksonville arent as hip and progressive as they think they are eh...?

[BridgeTroll]

I dont disagree... but until I or someone else displays this loutish behaivior it might be fun to say Hi and share a drink with em... ya might have some fun.

[duvalbill]

Just for the sake of literalism.  It is very amusing to think of a bridge troll being called a fag.  I suppose it would stand to reason that they would shop at the big and tall store.

I do have to say, that whenever there is any type of scuffle on Bay Street, it usually results from the loutish behavior of taxidermologically tanned meatheads who think that indie rhymes with gay.

Maybe I don't notice what you're talking about because I look and dress like your typical prepster, but looks can be deceiving and it works both ways.  I've gone to Jackrabbits dressed as I normally do and I've gotten some pretty spiteful looks.  The funny thing is, I was going to the Milk Bar all the time when I was a youngin, still listen to the music and still try to see all the shows I can.  The people that really give a rat's ass about what others are wearing do have issues, but these people can typically be ignored.  Don't forget though, it works both ways.

[RiversideGator]

So I guess the lesson here is to (1) keep your establishment up to code and (2) try not to attract the crowds which might be carrying and/or selling drugs.  If you do these 2 seemingly obvious things, I bet the cops and the City will not mess with you. 

And River, considering that you apparently do a little criminal defense, and inhabit a downtown (and therefore aging building) location, I doubt you would pass the same test.

If only one kid out of several hundred people was 'carrying and/or selling drugs, thats a hell of a lot better than a private high school, or for that matter a PTA meeting in Baymeadows.

1)  My building is not that old and is up to code as far as I know;
2)  I typically have no more than a few clients at a time rather than 100 or more inside a small space so it isnt exactly the same thing in terms of life safety;

[konstantconsumer]

Bet you stuff could be found code wise, and apparently all you need is 1 (one) customer with a half joint in their pocket.  Not hundreds.

the amazing this was that i was actually really impressed that there was only one kid with a fake id and a joint.  that's a very impressive thing, i think.  i would challenge anyone to go to another club and find less than that!