Bock denies liquor license for strip club

By DAWN SLADE
Mille Lacs County Times
Posted 3/21/03

Outside Bock City Hall Monday night, protesters were carrying signs while the song, "Hit the Road Jack," played. Inside city hall there was a room packed with people attending a special meeting regarding the liquor license for Fat Jackís, a strip club in Bock.

At the meeting, the Bock City Council once again listened to concerned citizens who were either for or against giving a liquor license to Richard Jacobson, the owner of Fat Jackís.

Jacobsonís attorney was given an opportunity to speak and a proposal was presented by Jacobson to the council.

The proposal was based on Fat Jackís getting a liquor license.

In its proposal, Czarcobock, Inc., doing business as Fat Jackís, offered to pay the city $1,000 a month to cover any additional expenses the city might incur as a result of Fat Jackís being in operation.

The proposal also stated the establishment would not allow anyone under the age of 21 and that it would close at 12 midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends.

The proposal also stated during the cityís July 4th celebration, it would offer no entertainment but would be open for food and beverage operations.

The council reviewed the findings of fact, which included a subsection of the cityís ordinance which prohibits the issuance of a license to a corporation, unless all of the shareholders are residents of Minnesota.

Jacobson owns 85 percent of Czarcobock, Inc. and is a resident of Wisconsin.

Another finding of fact stated the entity violated the cityís ordinance prohibiting nudity on the premises of a licensed liquor establishment.

Mayor Margaret Girard said council members Cindy Ryan and Carl Jerdin voted against issuing a liquor license to Fat Jackís, while Ed Johnson voted in favor of issuing the establishment a liquor license.

Council member Mal Wiesenburger was not at the meeting.

Fat Jackís has been without a liquor license since February and since it will not be issued a license, the establishment is open to those 18 years of age and older.

Girard said Fat Jackís can remain open 24 hours a day to serve food, but can only having dancing until midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on weekends.