Property owners tried to shut down violence-riddled club for months before it finally closed

ATLANTA — Atlanta’s Encore Hookah Bar & Bistro has served its final buyer.

The favored downtown membership is now closed for good after a streak of violent crime, together with a taking pictures the place a safety guard employed by the membership was killed. 

The crimes not solely affected folks at Encore Hookah Lounge, but in addition close by vacationer sizzling spots. The Georgia Aquarium was struck by stray bullets that reportedly have been shot from the lounge. 

Regardless of its prime location, Encore grew to become a identified location for legal exercise, amassing 171 calls to Atlanta Police within the final two years alone. The enterprise disclosed that it could shut down in an Instagram submit over the weekend.

11Alive discovered the property’s house owners tried to get Encore shut down way back to September. Habif Properties mentioned when Encore refused to vacate in December, it acquired the courts concerned. After the Metropolis of Atlanta requested a listening to final week, in keeping with the property house owners, Encore agreed to stop operations and vacate. The membership performed host to repeated violent crimes.

Full assertion from Habif Properties:

Habif Properties, LLC, is the administration firm for the property positioned at 320 Luckie St, Atlanta, GA.

On September 20, 2021, our workplace notified Encore that pursuant to the phrases of their lease, we have been terminating their occupancy with ninety days’ discover efficient on December 23, 2021.   When Encore refused to vacate on December twenty third, we filed a movement for eviction with the Fulton Justice of the Peace Court docket. Our eviction movement in Justice of the Peace Court docket is at the moment awaiting an preliminary listening to.

On April 20, 2022, Habif Properties attended a listening to for a Momentary Restraining Order in opposition to Encore Hookah filed by the Metropolis of Atlanta. On account of the listening to, Encore Hookah agreed to stop doing enterprise and vacate the property by Wednesday April 27, 2022.

We’re more than happy with end result of the Momentary Restraining Order and are grateful for the actions taken by the Metropolis of Atlanta Deputy Solicitor, Erika Smith, on this matter.

11Alive tried to succeed in the operators of Encore however was unsuccessful. 

James Reese lives a few blocks away from Encore. He mentioned even folks simply strolling round may very well be liable to potential violence. 

“It’s unhappy to see it go, as a result of with the pandemic you hate for companies to lose out, however security and concern is such a giant deal,” Reese mentioned.  “Companies ought to must be held accountable for self-policing. If an incident occurred, you could not count on it the primary time. However as soon as it turns into repetitive, it’s a must to have a look at your safety plans and enterprise mannequin and the kind of crowd you are attracting.”

Encore lies in Atlanta Metropolis Councilman Jason Dozier’s District 4. 

Dozier mentioned town is taking a strategic strategy to give attention to Atlanta’s nightlife by educating enterprise house owners, ensuring liquor licenses are present and going after what he referred to as nuisance companies. 

Atlanta hookah bar closes after two years of violent crime

“We needed to throw the kitchen sink at this factor,” Dozier mentioned when requested what it took to shut the membership. 

“Due course of is a gradual course of. We wish to be certain analysis is being executed accurately, the right legal guidelines are being adhered to in order that we don’t have a scenario the place this institution comes again subsequent week or the week after,” he mentioned.

Dozier inspired the general public to share tips on companies that continuously entice crime and interact in illicit exercise. He mentioned plenty of different fashionable golf equipment might face the identical destiny as Encore if they do not take critical steps to curb crime. 

Criticism: Atlanta Police referred to as to hookah bar 171 instances in 2 years resulting from fights, homicides, shootings

“Companies can’t solely be belongings for our metropolis however may very well be companions in how we’re perceived,” Dozier mentioned. “However that additionally means these companies should be good neighbors, must contribute to the general public good. We do must have instruments accessible to us to carry these unhealthy actors accountable, carrot and the stick, and I feel that’s the path we’re going as a metropolis. Encore is the primary of many conditions we’re going to try to enhance as a result of everybody within the metropolis deserves to be secure.”