LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The owners of Baxter's 942, a popular nightclub in the Highlands, are fighting to reopen after the city denied the business's liquor license renewal.
The nightclub was shut down by the city following a series of violent incidents, including a triple shooting near the venue in August.
Attorney Frank Mascagni, who represents Baxter's 942, argues that the business is being unfairly targeted and singled out for crimes that occurred outside of its premises. Mascagni has taken the matter to Frankfort, appealing the decision made by the Louisville Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in October.
"We've been out of business for three months," said Mascagni. "How in the hell is my client responsible for crimes that occurred outside of our premises, over which we have no control?"
Baxter's 942 has been in the spotlight after two people were killed in the August shooting, which followed an event at the nightclub. Despite the tragic incident, owner Kevin Strnatka maintains the business was not involved in the violence.
"It’s absolutely insulting. We had nothing to do with any of these murders. They didn’t happen here," Strnatka said in an exclusive interview with WDRB in October. "If somebody got murdered in my building, I would shut it down myself."
The city’s ABC director, Brad Silveria, said that the decision to deny the renewal was based on the recent violence and complaints from neighboring businesses and residents.
"We had a lot of input from community members who had asked that we take a look at the license," Silveria said. "The residents are tired, and that's all we hear about."
Baxter’s 942 continues to push back, highlighting complaints that they say are discriminatory. Mascagni pointed to a letter from a neighbor, alleging racial undertones, particularly references suggesting that the neighborhood "would better complement the area" by removing certain people, though no specific group was identified.
In a related matter, DJ Lil' Jerry, whose name was linked to the violence by ABC, has publicly defended his character, stating the accusations are damaging to his reputation but not to his sense of self.
The owners of Baxter's 942 are awaiting a decision on their appeal. If the appeal is successful, they plan to reopen the nightclub.
The legal battle continues as both sides wait for a final ruling.
Related Stories:
- Highlands nightclub Baxter's 942 denied renewal to serve alcohol by city of Louisville
- Neighbors call for more safety measures amid violence surrounding Louisville's bar scene
- Louisville judge denies request by Café 360 shooter to dismiss murder charge based on self-defense
- 2 dead, 1 injured following Sunday morning shooting on Baxter Avenue in the Highlands
- Bardstown Road bar closes after months of investigations, complaints from residents
- Louisville Alcoholic Beverage Control trying to prevent violence at bars, nightclubs
- Residents near 2 Bardstown Road bars praise Louisville's efforts to restrict liquor licenses
- Louisville ABC refers 2 Bardstown Road bars to code enforcement over criminal activity
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