Cafe petitions Beach for permit to reopen nightclub

By Kathy Adams
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 8, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

MP Island Cafe has applied for a conditional-use permit to reopen its nightclub.

City planners have recommended against the request, citing existing problems at the cafe.

The Planning Commission will discuss the request at a public hearing today and make a recommendation to City Council.

On March 8, an early morning fight there turned into a fatal stabbing and shooting. The city ordered the owner to shut the nightclub down.

The cafe, in the Green Run Square Shopping Center at 3320 Holland Road, has a restaurant permit, but not a nightclub permit.

Without it, the cafe can have only a small dance floor, constituting less than 15 percent of the total floor area, according to a report from the city's Planning Commission.

Since MP Island ended its nightclub, business has taken a dive, owner Mike Palmer said in May.

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and June 10, 2009, the Police Department received 74 calls involving MP Island Cafe, including one for homicide, one for gunshots and five for fights or riots.

There also were 23 public nuisance or loud party calls, according to the report.

Residents of the Green Run Homes Association have also said they want the nightclub to remain closed, citing a long history of problems, said past President Chandler Scarborough.

"We are opposed to their application for a nightclub," he said in May. "They've already been given the opportunity, and they've shown that they can't be responsible."

But John Davis, manager of the Puppy Palace pet store next door, has said he wants the club to reopen and has never had any problems with the cafe.

"It's good business for us," he said.

Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com

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That's why......

Submitted by Cindarooooo on Wed, 07/08/2009 at 10:01 am.

It's referred to as "gang" run!

Take them out of Kingston,

Submitted by globaltrekkie on Wed, 07/08/2009 at 9:45 am.

Take them out of Kingston, but can't take the Kingston out of them.

The problems will continue if MP Island is allowed to re-open because the target customers have not changed.

MP Island Cafe, right next to Puppy Palace?

Submitted by George K on Wed, 07/08/2009 at 8:44 am.

Make mine medium rare!

When the neighbors don't want it . . .

Submitted by markk33831 on Wed, 07/08/2009 at 12:37 am.

Let's see, the police would prefer it doesn't become a nightclub again. The people that live in the neighborhood don't want it to become a nightclub again. All that should count for something. I would suggest Mr. Palmer move his business elsewhere - like right next to a police precinct to make it easier to keep his clientele under control.