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Charlotte Strip Club may not happen

Posted at 8:44 AM, Aug 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-08 10:39:11-04

Controversial plans of turning a local bar into a strip club have many Charlotte residents concerned.

FOX 47's Marcus Dash has learned new details on why the proposed "Gentleman's Club" may not be happening after all.

"Does the applicant have a felony in his or her background? Are there other members of the corporation? Are they all of good character," asked Gregg Gueschow, Charlotte City Manager.

Gueschow says it's not an easy process to open a strip club in Michigan.

That was Terry Ranshaw's plan for a bar he owns off of Lansing Road in Charlotte.

In order to turn Big Time Bar into a gentlemen's club, it meant Ranshaw would be giving up his liquor license.

"You are either going to have a business that sells liquor or a business that does adult entertainment, you can't do both," said Gueschow.

Just a few feet away is Char-Lanes Bowling where families in the area spend a lot of time.

Grandparent Jim Good was highly opposed to the strip club.

"I'm not for it, I am here right now with my grandchildren, can't think of too many people in Charlotte who would be for it," said Jim Good.

It's only a few parking spaces that separate where the strip club could be and where the bowling alley is and that's why one mother says it could set a really bad example for her two children.

"My youngest two, are four, and six, they don't need to be seeing whatever attire that they're wearing, ya know? Coming outside when we are trying to come in here and bowl," said Michelle Sanderson.

For now, those parents don't have to worry about it.

Gueschow wants to let people know that if a strip club does spring up in the future in Charlotte it has to be gated or walled so it doesn't affect others.

Whether or not that would be enough for people who live in Charlotte, it's not a question they have to answer right now.

Also, the owner would undergo a background check by police, and then it would go to a planning commission, and eventually be subject to a public hearing before approved.