After hours of deliberation, Madison's Common Council permanently revoked the liquor license of R Place on Park because of a series of violent incidents that occurred outside the bar over the past three years.
""There is absolutely no pleasure in this,"" Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. ""[Committees] sat day after day, hour after hour of testimony, but we sadly have no choice but to revoke the license of R Place given the unprecedented amount of violence.""
The bar's owner, Roderick Flowers, said violence outside the bar was not a result of how R Place was run.
""There's nothing we've done in violation of alcohol laws, underage drinking and to hold us responsible for that activity outside on Park Street when the police refuse to give us any protection,"" Flowers said.
R Place workers and customers delivered emotional testimonies to the Council, saying the bar provides a center of culture and community for Madison's south side.
""There is no violence, jazz music being played and people enjoying themselves,"" said Gabrielle Daniels, an R Place customer.
Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, said had Flowers changed R Place's closing time to 11 p.m., as the Council suggested at previous hearings, there is a chance the establishment's outcome would have been different.
""Frankly, there's a lot of positive benefits to this establishment about the community and culture,"" Maniaci said. ""What frustrates me most is at the end of the day it falls to business decisions.""
Madison Police Department Chief Noble Wray said an establishment having 166 calls for service and multiple violent incidents involving guns and knives is simply not common for Madison.
""It's unfortunate,"" Ald. Sue Ellingson, District 13, said. ""I think Flowers wanted to do the right thing, but he didn't have a good business plan in place to keep the right kind of customers coming to his bar.""
