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Cabaret West owner proposes opening Italian restaurant
The restaurant, which would specialize in pasta and wings, would be at the site of Cabaret West, 716 W. Chestnut St., and owned by the bar's current owner, Catherine A. Bayus.
The preliminary proposal was discussed Tuesday when Pozonsky met with Bayus' attorney, Robert Brady, and District Attorney Steven Toprani to get an update on the bar, which is being operated under limited hours in accordance with a previous court order.
Cabaret West was closed in February after two people were shot to death outside the tavern. Toprani filed for a preliminary injunction following the Feb. 16 shootings.
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Toprani argued that the tavern should be declared a public nuisance and closed permanently due to the recent shootings.
Pozonsky agreed to allow the tavern to reopen under certain conditions following a hearing in March. The judge ruled that the prosecution did not present sufficient evident to justify the injunction.
The judge allowed the tavern to remain open pending a trial to determine the tavern's ultimate fate and while Bayus either sold the liquor license or moved to a new location.
Since then, a series of status conferences have been held with the judge, Brady and Toprani.
Following Tuesday's conference, Toprani said the tavern owner has been cooperating with his department, and both sides are looking for ways to amicably resolve the problem.
Toprani said Brady is to bring a proposal to his office for consideration. The district attorney, however, would not elaborate on conference discussions.
"Anything else would be hypothetical," he said.
Brady, however, was more open about the proposed plans.
"We're looking to close Cabaret West and replace it with an Italian restaurant," he stated. "We're currently negotiating details."
According to Brady, Bayus would remain owner of the restaurant, but operations will involve other parties.
"We have an executive chef that is participating and who wants to open this restaurant to the community," Brady said.
So much for containment : 6/24/2009
Wow, I wonder how the city will contain the violence now. Guess the state police will have to do their jobs instead of the general population. Maybe now we will get what we pay for(action). There is no doubt that this bar was allowed to re-open for one reason- To keep the crap from spreading throughout the community.
Yeah right! : 6/24/2009
Who is going to go to this place? The same kind that went there before because nobody in thier right mind will want to go to this place .
Oh please... : 6/24/2009
She can no more run an Italian Resturant than I can run a bar. Its still going to be the same old stuff. Well at least people will have a full belly when they buy their drugs and get shot.
bar will re-open : 6/24/2009
the drug den will re-open,,the judge in this case has bucked the new DA ON ALMOST EVERY CASE,,,he also has been a joke in his courtroom,,,i had a case in front of thy majesty concerning my son,,,he is the most ignorant person in the courthouse,,,,and if he seeks retention i will be very vocal in seeing it does not take place
Gnochi Pleeze : 6/24/2009
How about a side of oxys with yo gnochi? I think I'll pass and go to angelo's or better yet, Al and Rubens.
What?!!! : 6/24/2009
Do we really need another Italian restaurant? Angelo's and Union Grill are great. Plus, what Italian restaurant specializes in wings? Maybe a pizza joint... It's just an excuse to get the bar open to the drug dealers and their customers. Don't think we are that stupid!
bar status : 6/24/2009
I sure as heck know that I nor my family would go to that place. Even if you did re-do-it. I mean that building/location is horrific. Lady, get a life outside of Washington. Go to Claysville or something. They need a bar and/or a restaurant.
On The Menu! : 6/24/2009
Give me an order of those EYE - TALIAN wings and a maglia di kevlar (vevlar vest).
Restaurant? PLEASE! : 6/24/2009
First of all, that place isn't large enough to be any sort of restaurant. Secondly, where would they park? I see maybe 5 or 6 cars fitting in their lot after the waiters/ waitresses/ cooks/ bartenders and bus boys get there. I'm sure all the neighbors would be THRILLED to have someone else's cars parked in their lots!
JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE : 6/24/2009
WHY MUST YOU KNOCK THIS LADY FOR TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING SHE CANT CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF HER BUILDING YOU TRY TELLING YOUNG THUGS WHAT TO DO AND JUST SO YOU KNOW ALOT OF FAMOUS AND LOCAL PEOPLE WITH POSITIONS OF POWER ARE ADDICTED TO THOSE PRESCRIPTION PILLS FOR CHET NOT SAYING THEY ARE CUZ I DONT KNOW HER OR HER BUISNESS KATHY IF YOU DO GET ANOTHER CHANCE MAKE THE BEST OF IT AND PROVE THEM WRONG GOOD LUCK
trash : 6/24/2009
i say take this trashy place, it's people and put it on the curb to be hauled away. if this judge allows this to happen, he should be placed on the curb just like the owner and hauled away. what a disgrace to the citizens of washington. this will be an even bigger drug joint...not an italian restaurant. can you imagine what theirn meat balls would be like, not to mention their pasta. and lets face it, the customers at this place perfer southern fried food,,,,not italian food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a wonderful idea! : 6/25/2009
I am totally sarcastic about that comment. Can you possibly imagine anyone in their right mind eating there??? I mean come on! Three people have lost their lives in that joint and it will forever be known as Cabaret. If Ms. Bayus is smart, she should cut her losses and either sell the building (Washington seems to attract a lot of franchise operators) or raise her drink prices, have a strict dress code, cater to the few business men and women in the area and use a chef and manager without a criminal background. In case you have not noticed, there is no decent place to eat at during lunch for the people who work in the city. Aside from Union Grill and Willies and Brothers, there are nothing but fast food places in the city. I am rambling but bottom line is: DON'T REOPEN CABARET AND DO NOT LET THE TRASH OF THE CITY BE YOUR CUSTOMERS. For those who like to throw the racism comments, when I say trash I am referring to all the junkies, dealers and thugs, not just the african americans.
sure! : 6/25/2009
They could run specials: two for one if paid with genuine currency. A great place to take the wife you've been considering divorcing...accidents will happen you know...
italian restaurant : 7/3/2009
I SAY GIVE THE LADY A CHANCE, WE LIKE TO TRY NEW PLACES TO EAT, I SAY "GO FOR IT"
