By: Unknown
From: Charleston Daily Mail
DAILY MAIL STAFF
The girls have gone wild, and now the city of Charleston has reached a truce with a popular downtown nightclub that assures they won't do so again.
City officials are no longer requiring Banana Joe's to apply for a special permit to operate its business as an adult entertainment establishment.
Mayor Danny Jones received a letter Wednesday from Benjamin Bryant, a Charleston attorney representing the Capitol Street bar. The letter apologized for recent incidents at the club and promised cooperation with the city in the future.
"I write to again assure you, the city of Charleston and its citizens of the commitment of the owners and staff of Banana Joe's to operate their business in a lawful manner that contributes in positive ways to the entire community, and especially to downtown Charleston," Bryant wrote.
The club has been under fire recently after a "Girls Gone Wild" video crew visited there July 8. Mantra Films, the California-based company that peddles the "Girls Gone Wild" videos through the Internet and late-night infomercials, is known for urging young women to expose themselves and commit sexual acts on tape.
At the Charleston event, two young, blonde women were photographed topless inside of Banana Joe's, which was an apparent violation of the city's zoning laws. After fielding complaints from residents and learning of Friday night Jell-O wrestling at the club, the city told its owner he would have to apply for a special permit to host adult entertainment or face possible closure.
Jones said he is satisfied with the response from Banana Joe's.
"I think they're sincere," Jones said. "I talked to the attorney, who's a friend of mine, and he's a credible person. This is what we wanted. We just wanted a good reason to believe they won't put the city in this spot again. We're going to go on good faith here."
In the letter, Bryant stated that the club already paid fines levied by the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration stemming from the "Girls Gone Wild" taping.
Gig Robinson, supervisor for education and prevention with the ABCA, said the club was fined $1,000 and placed on a six-month probation, in which the agency will closely monitor Banana Joe's. Robinson said clubs must gain permission from the agency to hold "male or female review"-type of events.
"It was not and is not our intent to operate or promote any so- called 'adult entertainment' in our venue," Bryant wrote. "Rest assured, there will be no Jell-O wrestling or any similar activity at our club. The 'Girls Gone Wild' bunch will not be back."
Bryant also apologized to the city and the community on behalf of Banana Joe's.
Jones said some residents stopped him on the street to complain about the "Girls Gone Wild" event. Most of the complaints came before the taping even took place, but Jones said there was no way the city could prevent it from happening.
"We got hammered during this," Jones said. "They didn't want this type of activity on Capitol Street."
But Jones said he also didn't want to hurt business.
"We want businesses to thrive in Charleston and on Capitol Street," he said. "It needs a good dance club. Hopefully, they have it in Banana Joe's."
The letter from Banana Joe's invited residents, city officials included, to visit the "modern, stylish dance club" to "relax, meet friends, dance and have a drink."
Jones is considering the invitation.
"I think I might go down there this weekend and cut a rug," he said. "If you see an old, overweight person on the dance floor, it may be the mayor of Charleston."
Contact writer Jake Stump at jakestump@dailymail.com or 348- 4842.
