Violent nightclub shut down
Alex Mariscal
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: News
-
Page 1 of 2
next >
Media Credit: Erica RodriguezWhile Chromium Niteclub, located at 817 W. Lake St., looks calm, when the club lets out in the early morning hours, the scene is drastically different.
Chromium Niteclub, located at Lake and Halsted Street, forfeited all of their business licenses after years of investigation, pending license violations and a revoked liquor license at a Department of Business Affairs & Licensing hearing on Oct. 29.
However, as part of an agreement, Chromium will remain in business until Dec. 3 to fulfill promotional and entertainment contracts.
Across the street from Chromium is Kozan Studios. Since 2003, business owner, resident and former school teacher Kathy Kozan watched as the nightclub made its impact on the neighborhood and its inhabits.
"They take no responsibility toward their neighborhood or their patrons," said Kozan.
Kozan has lived right above her studio for the past 14 years and has been running her business there for the last 23 years. For Kozan, the issue is a personal one, and from the start of the problems with the nightclubs, Kozan has been a leading force in the fight to keep her neighborhood safe from the violence and commotion produced by club patrons.
On Aug. 19, Kozan felt a personal attack on her neighborhood with the murder of Omari Houston, a club patron leaving Chromium. On her website, Kozan voices her opinion on the unjustness of the death.
"The night that man was shot to death, I was right there in the middle of the street. Gun shots were coming from the direction of my building and I had no idea where to run," said Kozan.
The trouble first began at the end of 2003, when Kozan first encountered difficulties with Chromium having to do with garbage, violence late at night and the excessive parking which made it difficult for her to leave her own home.
"I decided to confront the source and went straight to Tony Perez, the owner, and was told that there would be something done about the issue," said Kozan. "However, nothing was done about it, and instead they tried to intimidate, threaten, bully and rough handle me when I refused to stay quiet. They're hoodlums."
Perez was contacted but did not reply.
In the spring of 2004, Chromium proposed to get a late-night liquor license that would allow them to stay open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 5 a.m. on Sunday nights. Kozan planned to attend the meeting ready to oppose, until something came up at the last minute. Later she received a call from Perez asking if she would be attending the meeting.
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
However, as part of an agreement, Chromium will remain in business until Dec. 3 to fulfill promotional and entertainment contracts.
Across the street from Chromium is Kozan Studios. Since 2003, business owner, resident and former school teacher Kathy Kozan watched as the nightclub made its impact on the neighborhood and its inhabits.
"They take no responsibility toward their neighborhood or their patrons," said Kozan.
Kozan has lived right above her studio for the past 14 years and has been running her business there for the last 23 years. For Kozan, the issue is a personal one, and from the start of the problems with the nightclubs, Kozan has been a leading force in the fight to keep her neighborhood safe from the violence and commotion produced by club patrons.
On Aug. 19, Kozan felt a personal attack on her neighborhood with the murder of Omari Houston, a club patron leaving Chromium. On her website, Kozan voices her opinion on the unjustness of the death.
"The night that man was shot to death, I was right there in the middle of the street. Gun shots were coming from the direction of my building and I had no idea where to run," said Kozan.
The trouble first began at the end of 2003, when Kozan first encountered difficulties with Chromium having to do with garbage, violence late at night and the excessive parking which made it difficult for her to leave her own home.
"I decided to confront the source and went straight to Tony Perez, the owner, and was told that there would be something done about the issue," said Kozan. "However, nothing was done about it, and instead they tried to intimidate, threaten, bully and rough handle me when I refused to stay quiet. They're hoodlums."
Perez was contacted but did not reply.
In the spring of 2004, Chromium proposed to get a late-night liquor license that would allow them to stay open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 5 a.m. on Sunday nights. Kozan planned to attend the meeting ready to oppose, until something came up at the last minute. Later she received a call from Perez asking if she would be attending the meeting.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Dinah
posted 11/21/07 @ 7:47 PM CST
Ms. Kozan has made outrageous claims. I believe she has a personal vendetta against the owners of Chromium. And a lot of what she says is outright slander. (Continued…)
Norelle
posted 11/27/07 @ 12:35 PM CST
This is in regards to "Dinah".
Maybe if people weren't KILLED in front of this club as a result of gang bangers and ghetto, trashy people who attend clubs like this, then maybe we wouldn't have this problem. (Continued…)
LAKEandHALSTED.com
Kathy Kozan
posted 12/02/07 @ 4:50 AM CST
Response to "Dinah"
It's curious that your comments concerning the LAKEandHALSTED.com website COMPLETELY disregard violent gang and mob beatings, a murder and a host of ancillary problems, and resort to a personal attack, based on false accusations and assumptions. (Continued…)
Post a Comment