- Owner Keith Lackie stands behind the bar on Friday holding a plaque he received to commemorate the opening of Klub Wet.
It was Keith Lackie and Andy Primm’s dream to open a gay bar together.
When Primm died last year at 44, Lackie was left with a life insurance policy.
Lackie decided to use the money to fulfill the couple’s dream, and three months ago, he signed a lease for the building that housed Illusions, at 4100 Maple Ave., which had recently closed.
Since then, Lackie said he’s spent $150,000 remodeling the building. He was scheduled to open Klub Wet Piano & Music Video Lounge at 11 a.m. today.
But on Wednesday, Lackie found out the city of Dallas won’t issue a certificate of occupancy — the final permit needed before he opens — because he doesn’t have sufficient parking.
“I don’t even have the money to pay my house payment next month,” Lackie said Friday afternoon as he stood inside Klub Wet. “I was counting on being able to open this week.”
Lackie explained that the owner of the building that houses Klub Wet, Victor Ballas, has a Remote Parking Agreement for 46 spaces on property that sits just across Throckmorton Street. Lackie signed a one-year lease with Ballas with a four-year extension option.
But the parking for Klub Wet sits on property that’s now owned by Crow Holdings, which plans to redevelop much of the neighborhood. Lackie said Crow Holdings has convinced city officials that the Remote Parking Agreement is invalid, because it doesn’t list an accurate square footage for the bar.
The parking agreement, from 1996, lists the square footage of the building at about 1,400 square feet, while Klub Wet actually occupies about 2,500 square feet. But even with the larger square footage, the 46 spaces would be more than sufficient. Lackie said the square footage discrepancy is probably due to the fact that the bar occupied only part of the building in 1996.
Lackie said the term of the Remote Parking Agreement is as long as the building is occupied by a bar. But he said Crow Holdings has seized upon the square-footage technicality because it wants the parking for its own development.
“If Trammell Crow can keep me from opening up and it can’t be a bar, these parking agreements will go away and they’ll get their property back,” Lackie said.
Lackie said he’s been working with a licensing consultant to try to obtain a certificate of occupancy from the city, but now that the effort has proven unsuccessful, he plans to consult with his attorney.
Lackie said he’s already hired about 10 employees, some of whom have quit their old jobs. Among other things, he’s furnished Klub Wet with a grand piano and was poised to make it the only gay piano bar in Dallas.
On Thursday night, Klub Wet hosted a private party attended by 40-50 people, and one of Lackie’s new employees presented him with a plaque that reads “A Dream Come True, Alan Primm and Keith Lackie.”
For now, though, it’s a dream on hold.
“It was our dream to do it,” Lackie said. “I can’t give up.”
What does Councilwoman Angela Hunt have to say about this? Or is this Medrano’s district? I would contact both of them for help. Keep us posted.
@Rob: It is Pauline Medrano’s district. Mr. Lackie says he’s contacting her. And we will absolutely keep you posted.
It is Medrano’s district. She wont help because the Crows backed her last re-election campaign with lots of cash. She is on a mission to “clean up Maple Avenue”. Look at her website
If you can’t make your house payment then you were doomed to begin with.
If Medrano won’t help, then ask Chris Heinbaugh at Mayor Leppert’s office or write him. If you got building permits to upgrade for your use and got green-tagged during construction, I don’t see how the city can defer a C.O.
I feel bad for Mr. Lackie but I have to agree with the post above. If you have $150,000 and your choices are opening a bar, or finish paying off your home (or a big chunk of it) then you’re not very smart to consider the former.
@Trails and Loops . . . OUR determination of Mr. Lackie’s financial situation is NOT the subject of this situation–period. HE knows what he can, or should be able to, handle and how to make it happen . . . which WAS on track until somebody seemed to intervene in a not-very-considerate manner. Sometimes, when you’re trying to follow a dream and all of the lights become “green” until something happens at the very end, you make a judgement call to “bet the farm” to make it happen, especially if the project is a tribute to somebody special. Being a little more conservative, sometimes, doesn’t seem to fit too well, though. Be that as it may.
From what we saw in Oak Lawn, almost everything is leased from people who have agents to handle the properties for them–people who have typically never been seen or heard from except via their property managers. Looks like a different verse of that song on Maple Ave, too.
Seems interesting that a developer can interfere with all of the prior approvals and sanctions of City Staff . . . which are already in place! I would think that a piano bar might be a pretty good draw for that side of town–gay or otherwise. Adding a little class to the neighborhood, too.
We know that the Crow family has had great influences upon the current fabric of Dallas, which has been generally good, BUT that is NOT a reason they can seemingly “own” operatives inside of the Dallas City structure. On the other side of things, it seems that somebody in the Crow organization was assleep at the computer when all of the improvements were being done to get ready for the new tenant, which would have generated visual activity on that property PLUS them apparently not knowing of the necessary parking arrangement for the business. It would appear, in THIS case, that the Crow Holdings organization should REMOVE their influence from the situation, allowing existing contracts to proceed in place as they currently are . . . which were already approved by Dallas City Staff for Mr. Lackie to invest his money as he did, with the ultimate sales tax and property tax benefit of the City of Dallas!!!! THEN, let Crow Holdings give notice that the existing contracts (and options for extensions) will cease in 5 years. I highly suspect that Crow Holdings is ready to start any sort of redevelopment in that area before that–it would also be about that long before any surrounding developments would be ready to happen, anyway.
Therefore, the Crows need to back off and let things happen as they are set to happen AND approved to happen with the City of Dallas’s Staff’s blessings–period. THEN let Crow re-evaluate their plans and plan on implementing them in 5 years. After all, THEY might change their minds before then and desire a different style of development that what they currently might be planning.
Perhaps, if the piano bar proceeds as planned, turns out to be a good fit for Crow’s future projects in that area, there might be some “embracement” of the piano bar as a part of the new Crow operations in that area???
BEST OF LUCK, Mr. Lackie!
I hope Your dream comes true. You are already most of the way there. Consult a lawyer and fight the crow Co…
The owner and the customers’ sexual orientation is not a factor in the situation. The headline to the article is misleading and victimizes the owner for being gay.
First let me thank the many people that have come out in support of me and my new club! In response to “Trails and Loops” comment…I did set enough money aside to allow me to keep my personal obligations. However, since I was doing everything that was required of me by the city of Dallas to get my business up and running before the end of October, I only set aside what would be needed to get by until November, believing I would be open and making money by halloween weekend. With that said, T and L is absolutely correct. It wasn’t very smart of me to spend everything I had on the business without looking further into the future (and without the ability to foresee the future) for my own personal obligations.
On another note, this whole parking issue actually cropped up more than six weeks ago when I still had plenty of money left. On the day I told all my contractors to cease construction until I was able to get this cleared up. I talked to my landlord who put me in touch with his permit consultant. I explained my dilema to her. She said she would get it handled. The next day she called me back and told me everything was cleared up and that I could continue with the construction. The issue was never brought up again until the middle of this week when she attempted to aquire my certificate of occupancy. Therfore, I believe the city of dallas is resposible for this total lack of communication by allowing me to continue getting all my inspections until I was ready to open and then again telling me…NO CERTIFICATE OCCUPANCY for you!!!
CC, Before you go shooting your mouth you may want to know the facts. Medrano has supported the gay bars and community and has supported us for years. Just because her web site says she’s “cleaning up” Maple Ave doesn’t mean she’s not supporting gay bars. She has been and is cleaning up Maple Ave. Cleaning it up from prostitution, crime, run down buildings and the like. When Perry Homes went after Escandalos on Maple Ave for being a gay bar and they tried blocking their dance license, Medrano got involved. I know this for a fact because she included me in the process and set up a meeting with their reps and leaders in the community and the bar. Perry Homes left the area and the bar stayed open. I just love how people hide behind “initials” and “psuedo names” and are always ready to shoot their mouths before they have the facts.
We will win or go down fighting!
Who cares. the area doesnt need another hustler bar. just walk away and let crow holdings revitalize the area.
First of all, this will not be “another hustler bar”…period. And second of all, even though you don’t have the balls to give your real name, just remember that when I do get the bar open you are not welcome!!!
@who cares – you obviously missed the point and you should care. Or do you not care about anyone but yourself? The city is at fault here. Crow holdings is at fault. This new business would mean income for the employees and tax income for the city. Dallas should be doing everything it can to foster the development and growth of small business. But so often that is not the case.
Before I get really mad I have questions. Is the city actually siding with Crow over this technicality or are their hands tied? Is the city basically saying that even though the bar has met the parking requirement we are not giving the co because Crow does not want us to? If Crow has a problem with a parking contract they signed would that not be between the Crow and the owner of the building? Anybody?
And Keith, when you open I will be one of your first customers.
I’m sure the new Crow Development at Oaklawn and Maple conformed with all applicable planning and zoning ordinances. Everyone should be allowed to place their multi-story office structure that close to the tollway. I just hope that The Grapevine can hold on before re-development sucks all of the character out of the area.
Brian – It does seem that the city is siding with Crow Holding on the RPA sq. footage technicality even though it has been allowed for 3 other bars in the past utilizing more space than the agreements stated use. Also, they now say they want the lot brought up to the new city planning development codes rather than allow them to grandfather in as has happened in the past. Basically, Crow Holdings needs my RPA’s to go away so they can do what they want on that lot. Crow Holdings did not sign the aggreement with my landlord but they bought the property recently with the agreements in affect, thinking they could make them go away…i’m sure! My landlord and his attorney/brother are working on the issue but it doesn’t look like they will get anything settled in the near future. I am looking for an alternative site to lease for parking in the area if you know of anything. If I am not able to get something soon, I will have to file a lawsuit against my landlord for the amount of money I have into his building and my daily loss of business. He leased me this building on the premiss that thier was enough parking available with these two RPA’s to open as a bar utilizing 2500 sq. feet. Thanks for you comments Brian!
@Keith: Looking forward to seeing the new bar once the permit issue does get resolved. Hope that you are able to open for business soon!
@Keith- Sounds like a nightmare. I hope you are able to get the place open. I will definitely come out and support you.
@”Who Cares”- You must not appreciate places with character. That is what shapes Oaklawn and Uptown and used to be what made Deep Ellum until they re-zoned that mess.
I was a 10 year illusion customer and went there usually every friday saturday and sunday. I was disappointed when it closed; yet poor management ran it into the ground. I have watched the remodeling project and was so excited last Thursday night when I though it was open. I parked my car and rushed to the front door and saw a sign that says Private Party. I was still excited knowing that the next day; it would be open to the public; only to be disappointed again to learn there was a parking problem. I have thought for years that Illusions should have purchased the property next door for a parking lot. I really hope things work out; as I look forward to being a customer there.
Keep making a big stink of it. There are specific city officials that are blocking you, and you should find out what State licensing agency manages their license. You should get their names into articles in the media, and get phone campaigns to call those officials. Cause a stink around those officials.
But consider this first…
All certificate of occupancy rules are in black and white, and those city officials have to follow those rules to a tee. If “other bars have permission” to work around the rules, that doesn’t matter in your case. A whistleblower called you out, and even though the rules are worked around every day, you are now stuck with them, all of them. All that matters is whether or not you are in violation of the actual “rules.”
More importantly, is there a workaround that still follows the code? If the code is that the whole structure has to be up to code or inspected or whatever with no exceptions, then that rule is gonna have to be followed now. As a business owner (and with a husband who works with city permitting daily), I can tell you that everything is in black and white. And when my business got whistleblown for an equally frustrating and moronic reason, I had to implement a lot of steps to get back into all the rules. Now it wasn’t the Crows, but it was still a pain in the butt. ALL city officials appreciate those black and white codes, and they know they can get fired if they don’t follow them.
If the codes are “officially” against you, then you are in real trouble and will need to take everyone you can to court. By “codes are against you,” I mean that the actual WRITTEN city codes for COs have no solution or workaround that works for you. For example, if the codes do not allow for RPAs *at all*, then you are screwed. Usually, the code in writing will tell you exactly what you can and can’t do. And if the code says you can do it, then you can go up the chain, and find the people in charge of licensing and contracting those city officials, and you can whistle blow on them.
I’m really sorry that you got caught up in this mess. Maybe you could go talk with the Crow family, and see if they can help you build sufficient parking around the bar, in return for not suing them and wasting everyone’s money. I don’t know… maybe that idea is too crazy. When I got whistleblown (as unfair as it was), I still found a way to make it work. Either way, best of luck.
The rumor on the street is things may be working out and that Club Wet may be able to open in two weeks .Keith , can you give us any additional information regarding this issue. Many of us look forward to a quality bar in this area. Whatever you do; Please make your presence known to the guest’s; welcome us and we will keep comming again and again. May you find blessings in your new adventure. We will be there to support you.
Terry – Thanks for the kind words! As it happens, I am working on the parking issue and have two possible alternatives, neither of which are set in stone as of yet! I will definitely post an update when I have solid information to release. On behalf of myself and the entire staff, I thank everyone that has offered unwavering support for Klub Wet!
Keith -what is the latest update. The word on the street is promises were made and then retracted, We hope to meet you; your staff and our new bar very soon. Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless you.
Terry
I would really love to have a piano bar in Oak Lawn, it would finally be somewhere nice to take your loved one for a cocktail before going to dance in any other bar.
As a previous Dallas Gay Nightclub owner, Bamboleo’s, which was open for 17 years, and a couple of other gay clubs through the years, I think I have a little experience in this matter. I once also considered opening a club in this location back in the late 90’s, but didn’t due to the parking problems with that location. I did own one in the little strip across from it, The Zone, and also one where Buddies was before Buddies was there called The Carnival. Mr. Lackie, I understand your frustration with the difficulties you are having, however, you made many mistakes. First of all, you should have enough money to float your business for a year. You can’t just open your doors and expect the money to start rolling in. You HAVE to be able to support yourself and your business for at least one year while you try to get it off the ground. Secondly, you should have contacted Pauline Medrano prior to making any commitment on this property and make sure you would have her support, and a contribution to her campaign would have helped too. If she told you she would not be able to support your endeavor, you would have known not to even try. She may have made other commitments already that she would not support a bar/club in that location. Thirdly, you should have contacted a consulting company to help you. They would have been able to advise you and guide you along the way, along with being able to pull some strings with the city people. I would have suggested Masterplan, https://www.masterplanconsultants.com/, they are all former City Of Dallas zoning employees. If I were you, I would still contact them, hire them, I bet they can get you opened. It’s not always what you know, but who you know is more important. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.
Need to add, Karl Crawley at Masterplan is who I have used in the past. He was the Senior Zoning Planner for the City of Dallas and is well connected. He can probably help you Keith, but of course, it will cost you. But better than losing all your investment.
So Keith; Update us on the latest. I saw several cars at the establishment today 12/08/2010 and almost wanted to come in. I told my bartener friend that I hope the bar will open soon. His feeling was that perhaps Trammell Crow has bought you out and the new bar is being dismantled. Whatever happens ; let us know. We hope that Klub Wet opens at this location; if not; perhaps a better location. Either way –update us so that we can support the effort. Have a happy Holiday season. You really need it based on what you have been thru. Always rementer that God can work miracles and if this does not work out; something better will
This is typical for this area bar owners think they can do anything they want with no reguard for the surrounding area. Why spend money when you have not done your homework. Everyone does not have to suffer because you are a poor business man. Sorry you wasted yout money. Me thinks you got the business from you landlord
This is just another hide out for those who want to hide behind boarded up windows. All on the same corner Cherry’s, Exklusive and Klub Wet
All have boarded up windows. No gay bar on Cedar Sprimgs has all the windows boarded over to hide behind
Have anyone seen the outside of club wet?
There is nothing classy about it. Doesn’t seem like any money was sent to improve the curb appeal of the bar. It looks like it’s always looked. Dirty and suspicious.
@ What Tha – First of all, you have absolutely no idea what the @#*! you are talking about. I don’t believe for one minute that any of the bar owners have complete, if any, disregard for the surrounding area. In fact, I have met most of the bar owners/managers that are members of the Dallas Tavern Guild and everyone of them have great pride for this area. Of course their are a few that, not belonging to the DTG, could care less about the area but still greedily grab at the monitary benefits that come with area. And just so you know, I pulled the parking agreements from the city records prior to signing my lease, had my attorney and a zoning consultant look them over and the agreements are valid. The issue at hand is not the validity of the agreements but the fact that TC simply wishes to not honor them and has chosen the lowest road in it’s attempts to keep me from opening. While I may not be the smartest business owner, I do know a bit about business. I made some mistakes along the way in getting the club open and in doing so I have learned a few things…obviously I’m not the only idiot in the area. In fact, it gives me great comfort in knowing that people like you will not be frequenting my club. I don’t see how I am making anyone suffer by opening a piano bar in any location let alone this one. Secondly, Klub Wet is not “just another hide out…behind boarded up windows” and I certainly don’t hide behind a pseudonym because I don’t have the nads to show my ignorance to the public. In fact, I am aware of only one bar on Cedar Springs that has windows that you can actually see through into the bar and that is JR’s. All the others have either no windows or the windows are tinted so dark that you can not see in from outside. Get your facts straight before you go shooting off at the mouth. Thirdly, not that I feel the need to justify this to you or anyone else for that matter, the reason you don’t see a difference on the outside is because I stopped spending money on the building until I get my C/O. I have extensive plans to fix up the outside of the building which includes adding glass block windows, stucco and a canopy along the entire front of the building. So again I say, learn your facts before opening your mouth. And finally, for god sakes, learn some grammer before spewing your ignorance in a public forum. For the many who have supported me on this issue, I thank you!
I’m looking forward to the day that the Knight/Maple intersection is no longer fouled by a trifecta of tacky, cheap bars (gay or otherwise). I’m a fan of the community atmosphere and attractive bars and restaurants on Cedar Springs, but Knight/Maple is too close—literally bumping borders—with a residential community that is undergoing revitalization and does not want to be home to multiple, ugly, low-class, hole-in-the wall bars and adult-oriented businesses. More professionals move into our community every year and we are very grateful for the Crow family’s presence and influence. We would like be able to invite our friends and family to our homes without having to apologize for the entrance to our neighborhood. We are tired of the rows of parked cars in front of our homes and the late-night, drunken foot traffic in our yards. Please leave.
Who cares about grammar or whether I spell check. The fact of the matter is that you are a typical bar owner who with disregard for the surrounding area and the local dynamics wants to put a bar where other significant investment is taking place.
The bars on Maple Ave have made no significant contributions to the community and have only contributed to the public drunkenness and the other bad behavior on the surrounding streets.
We all want the neighborhood to improve and you should realize that no one wants another bar in the neighborhood. Piano or Otherwise
“the reason you don’t see a difference on the outside is because I stopped spending money on the building until I get my C/O. I have extensive plans to fix up the outside of the building which includes adding glass block windows, stucco and a canopy along the entire front of the building”
Mr. Lackie, despite your promises of stucco, I hope you will understand my extreme skepticism toward the idea that a bar called “Klub Wet” will bring class to the area, even if you cram a piano into that dilapidated, boarded building. As to your plans for external renovation, I understand from the article and posts above that you are having difficulty even making your house payments. Giving credit to your good faith intentions, I am nonetheless compelled to believe that any substantive external renovations will remain indefinitely on your to-do list, until the “Klub’s” inevitable failure. The type of customers you will attract with such ramshackle appearances will never pay the kind of prices you will need to support your business, let alone spend the significant funds it would take to truly create an attractive establishment that is appropriate and compatible with the progress our neighborhood deserves and is currently achieving—$150k is grossly insufficient. Until then, Klub Hot will continue to blight the entryway to our homes, delay the progress that has already begun and serve as a magnet for individuals who are not polished enough for S4.
@Scott – You sound so nieve and bitter at the same time. You think some condo building is going to bring a good look to that area in this economy? You should move over to deep ellum if you want to live in the new condo-hood that never happened. More like a lonely neighborhood that used to be a happening arts district until people like Scott moved in and made it “classy”. Scott, you should really move somewhere you are happier and that is more with your values… maybe Southlake? These developments will sit there and rot because its really an overdeveloped area if you ask me. I would like to see more restaurants in the area but another bar is certainly not going to hurt anyone. One of the reasons you see so many cars on the streets are due to the Caven bars that really do not supply enough parking for their clubs/bars.
Dave, the theme of your message appears to be that our neighborhood is doomed to rot, and so we should give up and move. I cannot accept this. I believe the neighborhood has significant potential for growth and economic improvement. It is in an excellent location: five minutes from Downtown, two minutes from American Airlines and Victory Plaza, and two minutes from some of the greatest restaurants and hotels in Uptown. Within the last two years it has seen the creation of the beautiful new Police and Firefighter Retirement Fund building, a brand new Dart Rail station, the amazing renovation of the old Parkland Hospital building, and Crow Holdings’ purchase of a significant portion of Maple Avenue between Oak Lawn and Knight St. for ongoing development. The NTTA just finished brand new sidewalks to the very intersection of Knight/Maple at issue and is currently in negotiations for further improvements to the neighborhood.
I also cannot accept your comparison between the city district of Deep Ellum and the three dive-bar/strip clubs at Maple and Knight. Deep Ellum, which is currently undergoing a renewed renovation and resurgence, is historically recognized and counter-culturally-relevant. Of the three bars at Maple/Knight, one is a failed ex-strip club that re-opened approximately a year ago, one is a failed bar that recently changed its name (another gem: “Klub Exklusive”), and a would-be Klub Wet replacing yet another failed bar. These three bars are isolated, forming their own unique little Bermuda Triangle of tackiness from which no economic advancement, taste, or proper spelling can escape.
“One of the reasons you see so many cars on the streets are due to the Caven bars that really do not supply enough parking for their clubs/bars.” It sounds like Klub Wet will not be supplying sufficient parking either…
The economy is depressed, but it wont stay that way forever and the choices we make now will effect our future for years to come. It is true that concrete does not make a community, but filling up the street with bars wont help this area escape its storied past. Historically under served by the City and private investment this part of Oaklawn has its chance to change for the better and recapture part its residential roots. If you live in Dallas most of you understand that we can co-exist with business, but If bars and strip clubs are the only successful businesses that entrepreneurs see for this area, then we would rather them take their businesses elsewhere. (Maybe South Lake)
Keith; thank you for your continued class, professionalism and Kindness in all that you have been thru. There are many of us who wish you all the success in the world and with success will show up to make your grand opening a huge success. It never ceases to amaze me that someone such as WHAT THA has so much free time that he keeps sticking his nose into your business and trying to administer so much destructive criticism. Many of us respect what you have done to restore that location to respectability. I treasure the idea of a piano bar and will come weekly and bring others with me. Many of the illusions clients plan to frequent Klub Wet.
The fact that WHAT THA and SCOTT BOXER HAVE so much free time that they can sent multiple emails in one day, sticking their nose in your business; clearly signifies that they have far too much time on their hands and will be the first The first ones that attempt to stand outside of your bar and panhandle your customers for extra change or beg someone inside the bar to buy them a drink.
Anyway keep looking up; trust God and everything will work out in your behalf. Illusions failed due to an owner who never showed his face and put his entire business in the hands of a manager and employees who stole him blind. You will be a hands on manager who will get to know your clientele; make constant improvements and hire staff that will make and keep your business strong; We look forward to being part of your strong clientele. See you soon. Allow us to be a part of your grand opening.
If this is your definition of Class, then you can have it. The facts speak for themselves and propaganda won’t change the fact that bar owners can’t dictate the areas response to this invasion. This world is full of people who are ready to mislead and take advantage of anyone who is willing. And there are those who are ready to protect this community from entrepreneurs whose goals contradict with the values of the community. This opposition won’t go away.
Only through vigilant opposition can we as a community protect our investments and foster a environment for families and children. We want a neighborhood that is free from the blight and crime that these late night bars and night clubs ultimately bring. We are not against you or your right to open a bar, we just support our right to live in a area without late night businesses.
Keith; I saw your ad in the Voice that you are opening soon; How thankful many of us are.
Here is wishing your New Bar many years of great success. I will be out of town on Good Friday weekend for Easter but should be there the following weekend to shake your hand in person and be a new patron as well. Have a Blessed week and a Grand Opening. The Bible says; Good things come to those; who wait
@ Terry…thanks for the support and the blessings. Looking forward to meeting & serving you in the near future.