Steffes calling it quits at Last Call / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, February 14, 2008

Steffes calling it quits at Last Call

Attorney: Club will not reopen because of public safety issues

February 14, 2008

An attorney for Last Call nightclub owner Dennis Steffes confirms that Steffes will close the club in the 700 block of New Hampshire.

Attorney Dan Owen says Steffes has no plans to reopen the club because he's concerned about public safety issues.

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Barclay (anonymous) says…

Sense and sensibility wins!
February 14, 2008 at 6:07 p.m.
MacHeath (anonymous) says…

I wonder why he wasn't worried about public safety issues a couple weeks ago? I bet he is more worried about his own sorry backside.
February 14, 2008 at 6:09 p.m.
renegade (anonymous) says…

its about time the dude woke up..was wondering what it was going to take
February 14, 2008 at 6:10 p.m.
a2thek (anonymous) says…

Who paid him off to close? That's not like him. He could have closed the last two shootings ago and 400 times ago that the cops have been called but didnt, so why now. I dont get it. It could have something to do with his co-workers getting shot but I doubt it.
February 14, 2008 at 6:10 p.m.
booze_buds_03 (anonymous) says…

The first sensible thing this guy has done. I guess the reason for pulling the liquor license was not "racist" as he had adamently proclaimed, rather the extreme amounts of violence that his club attracted.
February 14, 2008 at 6:11 p.m.
srj (anonymous) says…

He knew it was it after last weekend, so why not go out thinking about others. Good luck selling real estate this year.
February 14, 2008 at 6:11 p.m.
MacHeath (anonymous) says…

yeah, a prince of a fellow...
February 14, 2008 at 6:13 p.m.
a2thek (anonymous) says…

Watch out Axis, I heard he was looking at possibly buying it. I very much doubt this guy will fall off the face of the earth. I know he knows a ton of business owners in Topeka so I bet within the next year or so he re-opens their. That could be a better place for him. Lawrence is free for awhile. Just wait until he opens up one night at Coyotes as hip-hop night and see what the city does then.
February 14, 2008 at 6:15 p.m.
MacHeath (anonymous) says…

He is worried about getting sued, and possibly prosecuted.
Too little, too late. Mr. Smartguy has pissed off the wrong people now.
February 14, 2008 at 6:17 p.m.
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…

I don't care why he closed it, I'm just glad he did.
February 14, 2008 at 6:18 p.m.
simplykristib (anonymous) says…

I am glad that the place has closed. It was bad news.
February 14, 2008 at 6:22 p.m.
iplaysupernintendo (anonymous) says…

Woooohooo!

I work and live in Downtown Lawrence and I am so excited this place is finally gone!

I certainly hope that Dennis Steffes moves his business to another town. I don't want him in Lawrence anymore. Personally I don't like him, and as a business man I HATE him.

Goodriddance!!
February 14, 2008 at 6:27 p.m.
Informed (anonymous) says…

Yes, this is great news, but will the City Commission now back off on the entertainment license? Somehow I doubt it.
February 14, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
bangaranggerg (anonymous) says…

Props to Tremors Inc. hope this community minded ownership approach continues. Much thanks from a community held captive by the terror that bar created.
February 14, 2008 at 6:36 p.m.
lounger (anonymous) says…

Good, Done, Bye Bye!!
February 14, 2008 at 6:53 p.m.
Eride (anonymous) says…

I hope the Douglas County AG still charges him.
February 14, 2008 at 6:58 p.m.
iplaysupernintendo (anonymous) says…

We should find a little unclaimed island, buy it for Steffes, and let him and his L.C. patrons party there.

goodbye!
February 14, 2008 at 6:59 p.m.
Godfather94 (anonymous) says…

Its about time! I would like to think he made this decision from his heart to keep people out of harms way. Or did he do this because he new he couldn't win in a court room. I have never been to Last Call. Did they serve food there? I know alcohol was removed. Here's my point, What kept this establishment open financially? Or did it become just a tax write off?
February 14, 2008 at 7:15 p.m.
iplaysupernintendo (anonymous) says…

It wasn't ignorance, just simply joking.
Don't be so serious:)
February 14, 2008 at 7:21 p.m.
nobody1793 (anonymous) says…

2-to-1 someone else tries to put a bar in that location.
February 14, 2008 at 7:22 p.m.
Godot (anonymous) says…

Finally, the person who had the power to solve this problem (one of his own making) made the right decision.
February 14, 2008 at 7:27 p.m.
toefungus (anonymous) says…

Maybe seeing his own employees in the hospital changed his mind. Regardless of the reasons, thank you for doing the right thing for our community.
February 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
akt2 (anonymous) says…

Expensive lesson.
February 14, 2008 at 7:36 p.m.
lawrenceguy40 (anonymous) says…

A sad day! Next the Bottleneck, then Replay, then Freestate, then Granada, and on and on and on!
February 14, 2008 at 7:38 p.m.
justthefacts (anonymous) says…

He may not get sued by the people who were injurred in the melee's in and outside of his club - if they have seen an attorney they've probably been told they are at least 51% responsible for their injuries. However, there is a very high possibility that he has had his insurance cancled and cannot find another carrier. While he may not need insurance to cover the costs of people who were involved and got hurt, he would still need insurance to cover injuries of innocent by-standers. It's clearly a risk. And one he could probably not get anyone to cover for him. So closing may simply be his bowing to the business reality that the continued problems connected with this place would ultimately cost him every dime he made, if he kept it open. A good business man knows when to fold.
And he has a losing hand.
February 14, 2008 at 7:51 p.m.
horsegirl (anonymous) says…

lawrenceguy40, You've got to be kidding. Maybe if they start having shootouts at Bottleneck, Replay, Freestate, etc, then yes. But then it would be deservedly so. I like all those places, but not at the cost of the general public. Sorry. Not worth it.
February 14, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.
Godot (anonymous) says…

justthefacts, you summed it up perfectly.
February 14, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.
infidel785 (anonymous) says…

Just because he is closing down Last Call does not mean he won't re-open as another type of bar or music venue. He shut is down because he knew there were no other options. Dennis is not looking to buy AXIS, so we can throw that out the window. I don't think he can qualify for the license now that he has had one revoked. I guess that doesn't keep him from putting in someone else's name but that would be illegal too. I doubt you have seen the last of Dennis in the bar scene but who knows.
February 14, 2008 at 7:59 p.m.
infidel785 (anonymous) says…

justthefacts (Anonymous) says:
"He may not get sued by the people who were injurred in the melee's in and outside of his club - if they have seen an attorney they've probably been told they are at least 51% responsible for their injuries. However, there is a very high possibility that he has had his insurance cancled and cannot find another carrier. While he may not need insurance to cover the costs of people who were involved and got hurt, he would still need insurance to cover injuries of innocent by-standers. It's clearly a risk. And one he could probably not get anyone to cover for him. So closing may simply be his bowing to the business reality that the continued problems connected with this place would ultimately cost him every dime he made, if he kept it open. A good business man knows when to fold.
And he has a losing hand."

-----WRONG! He will just bankrupt the company and he won't have to pay out anything. They can try to go after him personally but who knows. He loves to go to court and fight things and the victims might not have the money needed for legal council. To my knowledge he doesn't have any insurance, at least not to cover this type of action. I know his bouncers will not be covered by it.
February 14, 2008 at 8:04 p.m.
akt2 (anonymous) says…

And please get the word out, so no one needs to make an unnecessay trip to Lawrence this weekend.
February 14, 2008 at 8:06 p.m.
akt2 (anonymous) says…

Spelled correctly, "unnecessary", as in stay the hell away from Lawrence.
February 14, 2008 at 8:12 p.m.
merrill (anonymous) says…

The license concept is unfair in nature to anyone else in the business. Instead they should move forward next Tuesday and amend existing laws to deal with Last Call and Club 504 situations.

The City Commission allowed Steffes to set a dangerous precedent so must take substantial moves so as not to get caught with their pants down one more time. Doing nothing for so long ultimately makes the City Commission equally responsible. Laws are only as good as the enforcement.
February 14, 2008 at 8:20 p.m.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJpIQ3...
February 14, 2008 at 8:25 p.m.
Godot (anonymous) says…

In addition, the landlord has, no doubt, been told his insurance will be cancelled if he allows this enterprise to continue in his building.

In the end, the bigger dog will keep the smaller dog in check.
February 14, 2008 at 8:26 p.m.
ontheotherhand (anonymous) says…

"Thug" or not (as someone called him) a 15-year-old boy was allowed in a bar, shot, and refused help by the bar staff. You don't think that is grounds for a suit? I'll bet the guy was advised to close his door and liquidate his assets FAST so it'll look like he doesn't have a dime.
February 14, 2008 at 8:26 p.m.
infidel785 (anonymous) says…

The 15 year old used fake ID. He (the 15 year old) is SOL
February 14, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
gkwhdw (anonymous) says…

Where's the bulldozer? That part of downtown needs to be refurbished anyway. Doesn't quite fit into the Hobbs-Taylor Lofts criteria. The whole block would be better off without so many bars.Hello-Good-bye, Mr.Steffes!
February 14, 2008 at 8:33 p.m.
kneet (anonymous) says…

The 15 year old had a stamp from the bar on his hand when he went to the hospital. Yes he was in the bar. That is the best reason I can think for DS to decide he doesn't want that Gma on his doorstep. There are plenty of attorneys willing to pick up that suit. He's not going away though, look out AXIS, look out Coyote. If it was just hip-hop that would be fine, hip-hop is great just not with the guns. There needs to be a system in place to collect guns at the door and a huge police presence and then all will be able to enjoy the music.
February 14, 2008 at 8:54 p.m.
Godot (anonymous) says…

Kneet, please explain why it is up to the taxpayers to fund police protection that will keep the guns out just so people can "enjoy" a hip hop venue.
February 14, 2008 at 9:03 p.m.
headdoctor (anonymous) says…

Splash, the sound of rats jumping ship. Now he is sounding like a concerned citizen. I suspect he was bothered more by the sucking noise of money leaving his pockets to cover the two employees that were shot. Workman's comp doesn't pay that well if he was even covered.
February 14, 2008 at 9:07 p.m.
Crossfire (anonymous) says…

Hip-Hop and the Mechanical Bull
..........The Last Predator Call.........
___________Yee-Haa,Yo.______________
February 14, 2008 at 9:11 p.m.
a2thek (anonymous) says…

We have two issue's here at hand that will need to be dealt with sooner or later. One is and should be already taken care of and that is the violence in Lawrence is closely being monitored by the LPD so I doubt that will be to much to worry about anymore with this closing. But at least now the LPD can spread out more throughout Lawrence and dont have to have 10-15 cops hang out around downtown and police foot patrol walking up and down Mass. Downtown is what it is. It's nightlife with drinking and alot of people acting and getting crazy. It also carries many different types of people ranging from all races and types of clubs that bring alot of different cultures around one another along with two homeless shelters that have some drifters that float around also. Now that Lastcall is gone you can deal with all these different type of people and problems. I guess at least we will be dealing with a few fights rather than flying bullets.
The other issue at hand is the city's problem and let's face it there is nothing for the youth/juevinile crowd to go or do.
And I dont know if the kids all sit in the back of there truck beds still on Mass and stir up things but what else can they do. I think the other problem is alot of young kids that I talk to all dont want to do anything fun and most of them told me that getting high and driving around is as fun as it gets. Maybe Dennis can go the 18 and under club.....LOL
February 14, 2008 at 9:13 p.m.
a2thek (anonymous) says…

Kooter posted this on Larryville and I had to get it in.

That's too bad .

And on the night when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is having their big exstravaganza celebrating diversity.
_________________
Blanston says,

"Please do not post on my threads anymore, kooter."
February 14, 2008 at 9:18 p.m.
jgragg (anonymous) says…

YESSS!!
February 14, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.
kneet (anonymous) says…

Godot,
I am not suggesting that the police presence comes completely from taxpayer dollars. I think that reputable clubs will want to control their own venues. They may need help at times from the city on nights when the private security might be overtaxed (no pun intended). There needs to be serious discussions between nightlife vendors and the city about what downtown wants to be. Family/diners in the early pm and clubbing later or only on weekend late nights. Guidelines need to be set. Clubs need to know what is expected of them from the city as a whole. If exceptional police presence needs to be at a certain club they need to know ahead of time that they will be charged for that service. Communication is the key. I don't want to see an end to vibrant Lawrence night life, neither do I want to see what has been happening at Last Call.
February 14, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
alm77 (anonymous) says…

YiPpEe!!
February 14, 2008 at 10:22 p.m.
miberend (Michele Berendsen) says…

East Lawrence is a wonderful place to live. We live in a community where there is actually violence and do not want to see East Lawrence turn into areas that are seen in Kansas City and Topeka. We love Lawrence, living in East Lawrence and the community. As a home owner in "the bad neighborhood" we are SOOOO glad to see Last Call go. For those of you saying it is a racial issue - you are completely wrong. The houses that surround my house in East Lawrence are from all ethnic groups: black, hispanic, middle eastern and others and we are not in a racial war. This occurs strictly at this bar and it had to come to end.
February 14, 2008 at 10:32 p.m.
MacHeath (anonymous) says…

Marion must be here, I smell rat droppings.
February 14, 2008 at 10:50 p.m.
StrangerCreek (anonymous) says…

Workman's Comp pays very well. Question is were they off work at the time? W/C will pay all the medical and also pay out for perm disability. I know it to be fact. I've paid the prems.

And there will be lawsuits. If you think not you've little understanding of the legal system, process, and legal people.

The BK laws have changed. The Corp umbrella can be pierced to get to the officers. Not all judgements are dismissable.

DS can go to court with the victims. Maybe they don't have money but he will have to spend his and his pot of money is not endless. He'll be feeling it.
February 14, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
LawrenceLover88 (anonymous) says…

Does anyone know what all the fire trucks and police cars were doing today at the Dole Center next to Haworth Hall, across from the old Computer Center? Lots of stern-looking official folks nobody looked eager to share any information.

I've noticed campus seems very heavily policed lately which is a good thing, but I'd be curious to know why.

This occurred around 4:45, perhaps just as news of the campus shootings in Illinois might have started trickling in.

I called the KU Public Safety office and *MUM* was the word. They tried to put me in touch with their public relations person--why? I've looked on every web site I can find...nothing. No reports...nada...

Does anyone have any insider information on this?

If our community is in some sort of danger, the University of Kansas shouldn't be trying to surpress information from the public.

I think they should at least put out some sort of a statement, don't you?

LJW reporters should report on this ASAP if they can.
February 14, 2008 at 11:22 p.m.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…

I thought a person under the age of 21 can go into a bar as long as they do not consume alcohol - typically they have a special stamp from the doorman.
February 14, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.
SeaFox (anonymous) says…

BigPrune: It varies by the establishment. Most make it 21 just so the bartenders don't have to worry about ID checking or keeping and eye out for people passing drinks across the table to underage patrons.Their jobs are hectic enough on weekends.

There are a few places that let you in if you're 18, Replay used to when they first opened. They still let under-18's in for the Sunday afternoon shows this last summer, but they promptly kicked everyone under 21 out at 8 or 9pm.
February 15, 2008 at 12:51 a.m.
workinghard (anonymous) says…

I think the police should heavily patrol that area for a few weeks on Sat. night until the word is out and they quit coming.
February 15, 2008 at 2:18 a.m.
Crossfire (anonymous) says…

WH,
Your right the parking lots are still gonna be crawling with those fine Capital City Whores and the little KCK Crack Dealers.
February 15, 2008 at 5:45 a.m.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

snap writes:

I

see

Marioni

is

maintaining

his

normal

level

of

discourse

.
February 15, 2008 at 6:31 a.m.
vhawk (Veronica Mohr) says…

Finally. Hopefully he will stay out of this business.
February 15, 2008 at 6:52 a.m.
effbombs (anonymous) says…

for the record...
ds is paying the medical expenses for his two employees especially his 'head of security' that was shot in the foot. just like ds paid when the same employee got stabbed by a patron inside the club about a year ago.
oh wait did you even know about that?
ds might be a lot of things (i dislike him) but I think he's feeling a lot of guilt (as he should)over what happened to his employees.
February 15, 2008 at 10:11 a.m.