Beach club targeted by city now closed, loses license

Posted to: Crime News Virginia Beach
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By Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 13, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has revoked the liquor license for a club the city said was plagued by violent crime.

The Encore Lounge has closed; the building appeared deserted Friday night.

The decision to revoke the club’s licenses for beer and wine and mixed drinks was made at a hearing March 6. ABC documents say the club had vacated its building and was closing.

In December, a Circuit Court judge issued a temporary injunction suspending the licenses after the city went to court to stop alcohol sales at the club at 1889 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Police said in December they were called to the club 116 times in 2008. Police documented 24 instances of fights, gunshots and disorderly conduct.

Former track star Tim Montgomery had been a partner at the club. He is now serving a five-year sentence for selling heroin at Encore.

Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com

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About time...

Submitted by stephena42648 on Tue, 04/28/2009 at 11:07 am.

The city needed to shut this place down a year ago...these people deserve a life time behind bars...idiots...it's ashame the DEA and other officials take so long to put them away...i'm sure they'll only serve a few years then be released....only to go do this somewhere else...don't give them a ABC license this time around...an what was the olympic gold meldalist thinking....amazing in our times...WOW

why is this news now?

Submitted by mlm77 on Sat, 03/14/2009 at 12:31 am.

the hearing was on march 6 and the article on the 13th. the club has been closed since the last big fight where the man was beaten with a beer bottle. i pass this building almost everyday, and it has been empty for months. i guess it was just a filler story

illegal operation

Submitted by horace1105 on Sat, 03/14/2009 at 12:02 am.

are they going to prosecute anyone there for running an illegal operation? how do these people get away with doing this kind of thing in plain view.when they get an abc licenses didn't they have to show a business licenses? sounds like this city has its priority's out of order.they are more interested in installing traffic cameras than insuring the safety of its citizens.