Gidewons’ ‘SPI Club’ wins nod from liquor board
After four hours of public comment from the largest crowd seen before the city’s License Review Board in several years — and another half-hour of see-saw deliberation by the five board members — Michael Gidewon’s proposed lounge and nightclub now heads to Mayor Shirley Franklin with a recommendation for approval.
“I’m really torn on this,” announced LRB member Will Lobb at the start of the board’s final discussion, seemingly echoing his colleague’s feelings. “I support the idea of the club … but this looks like it’s going to change the nature of the neighborhood.”
In the end, Lobb was one of two votes against the clubs; Peggy Harper also voted to deny after first suggesting the board send the matter to the mayor with no recommendation.