Local Newswire Common Council, content with Art’s Performing Center, rejects another downtown strip club

Not pictured: Art’s Performing Center

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On Milwaukee’s “Shit we gotta do” list, opening another downtown strip club probably doesn’t crack the top 10. That depressing, stripper-less fact of recession life hasn’t stopped Silk owner Jon Ferraro from giving it the old college try, however. Ferraro has been attempting to open a Silk East location for the past few years, much to the chagrin of the Milwaukee Common Council. Earlier today, the council rejected Ferraro’s latest attempt, and may or may not have also refused to pony up the lousy $1 tip for the girl who just got off the stage. So what if you just walked in and didn’t see her dance? You need to tip her anyway. It’s simply how things are done. According the Journal Sentinel:

For the second time in three years, the Milwaukee Common Council rejected a downtown nightclub that would offer exotic dancing.

Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday against tavern and public entertainment licenses for Silk, which would have been located at 730 N. Old World 3rd St.

After a 5-0 rejection from the council’s Licenses Committee, the proposed nightclub’s owners did not file the written objections required for a hearing before the full council. As a result, the issue was not debated on the council floor.

The story goes on to note that “opponents say Silk East would hurt downtown development efforts; cause noise, litter and traffic problems; and exploit women.” Ferraro and his partners claim the location “would cater to an upscale clientele.” Stripping away all the rhetoric and dropping it next to a loose pile of folded, vanilla-scented singles, it’s clear that the folks on the Common Council are happy with downtown’s current strip club, Art’s Performing Center. Either that or they’re trying to keep downtown nightlife as it is: quiet, litter- and traffic-free, and empowering for women.

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