Comments on: Marrakesh Palace’s Liquor License Suspended for a Month in Dupont

By: thebear

thebear — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:11:30 +0000

I don’t know anyone in the neighborhood who would mourn the loss of Marrakesh. Out of all other the restaurants and bars on the block and in the vicinity, Marrakesh is the only one that refuses to be a good neighbor and work with us to resolve issues in a courteous and non-confrontational manner. It’s beyond belief how ABRA has tried at every hearing to make residents look like the bad guys, and makes us jump through hoops to “prove” what is readily apparent…and still find ways to rule in favor of offending establishments.

ABRA and the ABC Board desperately need to be reinvented from the ground up. Residents need to stand up and lean on our Council members to make it happen.

By: annonny

annonny — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:23:36 +0000

Given the recent press around ABRA inspectors’ bribe-taking, why does it not surprise me that it takes forever to shut down an out-of-bounds nightclub?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/clubs-attorney-says-free-liquor-went-to-dc-inspectors-friends/2011/12/01/gIQAu3CVIO_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/abc-inspector-suspended-in-dc-after-allegation-of-free-liquor/2011/11/30/gIQAnBcXEO_story.html

Seems like somebody was on the take, especially since Jack Evans and the ANC were opposing this dump. Wouldn’t surprise me if there is a similar bribery situation going on with Mood Lounge on 14th.

Maybe their 30 day suspension will drive this place out of business. It would be an improvement to the neighborhood, that’s for sure.

By: Anon3

Anon3 — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:38:03 +0000

Thanks, thebear.

Also, didn’t mean to come off the wrong way with that comment, I had responded to a post which had since been deleted. Anyway, thanks for the info!

By: shawguy

shawguy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:32:30 +0000

Now I’m *incredibly* curious what the comment was that got deleted!!

For the record, neighbors over in Shaw have been dealing with the same reluctance by ABRA to fix ongoing problems with the MOOD Lounge on 9th Street. That’s just the way ABRA works – slow as molasses and always the last one to the party…

By: thebear

thebear — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:18:46 +0000

Feb 8 ABC Board Dispositions: http://abra.dc.gov/DC/ABRA/Board+and+Legal+Findings/Board+Dispositions/February+2012+Dispositions/February+8+Dispositions

pp 6-7, 10.

By: thebear

thebear — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:06:22 +0000

There is no speculation at all here. The ABC Board’s decision is posted on the ABRA website for their February 8 decisions. The conditions of the Offer in Compromise are the same ones contained in the ABC Order last fall allowing Marrakesh to remain open, in spite of well-documented community opposition that was supported by MPD and Councilman Jack Evans. The recent violations of that Order also are documented there. The question of the validity of their lease was reported in the Feb.1 Dupont Current.

The problems with Marrakesh go back to Day One of their presence here. ABRA and the ABC Board have been abysmally slow to act on repeated violations of their Voluntary Agreement (and outright refusing to several times), despite countless complaints from neighbors and even police reports backing-up those complaints. Even then, they still allowed Marrakesh to remain open. While things have improved somewhat since last fall’s Order, it is mostly because the nightclub has not been open every weekend. Even with an MPD detail present, neighbors have still had to call 911 a few times about noise from their patrons and illegally parked vehicles. The mandated security cameras have yet to be installed.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:32:22 +0000

Hahaha, thanks – I appreciate your support!

By: Anon3

Anon3 — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:22:31 +0000

LOL good point.

Sorry its been such a whirlwind of a week for you, PoP! Please feel free to delete my comments since they were in response to the other person’s so they just look out of place. Hope you’re not put through the ringer as much next week.

By: Anon3

Anon3 — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:20:41 +0000

Neither am I a lawyer nor do I claim to know anything about this situation. I am genuinely curious, however, to know how the restaurant could have any legal resource in a situation like this.

Are there lawyers out there who care to comment?

I do think it is responsible/smart for a blogger to give a disclaimer (that this post does not express his/her opinions, etc) ahead of reader-submitted posts like this one. Just a thought.

Thanks!

By: admin

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:16:24 +0000

I deleted his comment because I don’t enjoy dealing with nonsense. The fact of the matter is – the liquor license was suspended for a month. Folks can draw their own conclusions. What a week…