I would first like to start by saying that I have read all of the comments and have some opinions of my own to voice. I understand that there are concerns as far as having a gentlemens club in that particular area and how residents are concerned with "what kind of people it will bring to the area"....please! What kind of people are already LIVING in that area?? When did it become such a "disgrace" to be able to provide for your family? If it was doing something illegal then there would be some validity to the statements being made; however, as one lady so graciously put it "our young black women will be shaking their butts on a pole and dropping it like it's hot on table tops". Let me address those RIDICULOUS statements. Number 1, I truly believe that you have a complete and total misconception of a gentlemen's club. It is EXTREMELY hard work!!! Please explain to me what the difference is between going to a dance club or a bar to see women "dropping it like it's hot" and "shaking their butts"? Is it more demeaning? I absolutely do NOT think so. These girls (and I will include myself in the category) WORK their butts off; not just shake it on the pole. This club is run by an extremely nice and honest man; the women that work there (once again, I will include myself in that category....oh and ma'am, I'm white, so it's not just your "young black women") are putting their money to pay bills and be able to survive in this downward spiral economy.

I would also like to state, that this is one of the nicest, cleanest, and friendliest environments that I have ever worked at. I am a full-time student going for my bachelor's degree in criminal justice and I am also a full-time mother. I go to school 4 days a week and am putting myself, not only through school, but am also providing (very well) for my son.

Oh, and one more thing, if it wasn't this club, it would be another club that your "young black women" would be going to. Atlantis, 390, Club O, Admiral, Industrial Strip, Deja Vu, Babydolls, Pink Monkey, VIPs, Polekatz, Scores, Allstars....take your pick my dear friends. This club will only benefit the area....that is IF YOU TOOK CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!! MAYBE YOU WOULD GET SOME "QUALITY" PEOPLE TO COME IF YOU FIXED YOUR ROADS, PUT SOME GROCERY STORES IN, OR (HERE'S AN IDEA) MAKE IT MORE APPEALING BY GETTING THE SCUM OFF OF THE STREET!!! BECAUSE THE SCUM IS NOT IN THE CLUB AS MOST OF YOU THINK.....IT'S ON YOUR STREETS!

As I stated on another site, the club is NOT in Roseland. It is in Pullman.

It is very annoying to see individuals that would likely not enjoy their mother, daughter or sister strip for a living defend such institutions. It is sad and typical given the fact that the nations moral compass is on the brink of permanent malfunction. There are many things that are "legal" within this nation but still when gauged against the morality this nation was "founded" on are still wrong. Slavery was "legal" at one point. Conversely there are also instances where the application of laws can be questioned; a starving person stealing something to eat comes to mind.

There are a ton of internet "public officials" who are chiming in about what Beale knew and what actions he should have taken. Yet it is seriously doubtful that any one of these individuals are intimately involved with the situation. The Rosemont casino deal that was struck-down after several years of wrangling comes to mind. There was all types of issues at play with that Casino including a purported link to organized crime. Unless you are in "the know" then you do not KNOW what the hell is really going on. Somehow I suspect nobody that has responded is in the know.

One thing for sure though, that camera thing is absurdly idiotic! Those camera's certainly would be better served in high-crime areas.

Listen to the voices of our people!!! We are complaining about this is a disgrace to our young women, but the people who are making these comments, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP OUR YOUNG WOMAN? ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR YOUNG WOMAN? HOW ARE YOU PERSONALLY CONTRIBUTING? Who are we to judge, ARE YOU GOD? As for the alderman and people thats protesting what jobs can you offer, are you all doing anything about your alderman not doing anything. Its evident that you all are not, because you elected him again and again. Its funny how you all are protesting for a place that can offer jobs to the community but didnt protest to get your so called alderman out of office. No, im not condoning nude stripping, but some of these woman have a purpose, can you who are protesting or your alderman or our government give them other opportunities. Hell, unemployment is on a rise, its a recession, so tell me what else can they do?

The fact is that the alderman and the powers that be in the 9th Ward knew about the opening of “The Factory”. Alderman Anthony Beale may have claimed to have protested the club by refusing to sign off on the entertainment license and all of the permits necessary for the establishment to open, but in the end he crafted a great scapegoat by having the project approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Its all a game people. Most cannot see this because they have never had an opportunity to participate while the game was being played.

Let’s say for instance that the alderman truly did object to the establishment of the club. Are you proposing that the elected head of the 9th Ward is powerless in prohibiting the opening of a business such as “The Factory”? In essence, what is being said is that the man has no political juice. So the serving of alcohol in the area is no longer permissible, but it is alright to allow topless or fully nude dancing. People wake up. This is not just a problem in the 9th Ward. There is strength in unity. We have to come together to deal with this issue. We cannot allow “The Factory” to operate in this neighborhood, luring young women, some of which are mothers, to dance and perform lewd acts.

The opening of this club should outline and detail the lack of control that we have in our communities. Until we make conscience decisions to take back our neighborhoods and communities we will keep being sold a bad bill of goods over and over and over again. We cannot continue to sleepwalk through life.

There are much bigger issues in this neighborhood. Turn the surveillance cameras on the drug dealers and gangs. Don't worry about some guys going to a strip club. The neighborhood may need more grocery stores and other businesses, but they aren't coming because of the problems with crime in the area.

I am a resident of the 9th Ward, and I quite frankly, oppose the opening of this Gentleman's Club in the ward for several reason(s) listed below.

1. We currently don't have a decent grocery store in the neighborhood that we can patronize.

2. While crime is currently on the rise in the ward, we have an Alderman who doesn't seem to care about the residents that have voted for him.

3. This club will bring out the worst for the Roseland area. I think the clientele will be beefed up a little, there are certainly not going to let our black men in wearing the latest urban trends. However, they will continue to allow our young black females the opportunity to shake their buts on poles, and drop it like it's hot on table tops. Degrading and Dehumanizing the African American race has always been the nature of the White man. We are going to have to put a stop to this kind of action. We as a race of people will have to stand and tell our elected official whom we put in office to be our voice, that we are not going to sit by idle and accept anything you present to us. BUT WE MUST BE UNIFIED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GREAT TASK.

4. Maybe Alderman Beale has been offered an exclusive membership, the reason why he has been so tight lipped about this opening. But it was he and his office that had to approve the zoning for such a club, purchase the property,etc... And, as we have learned our elected officials are out for themselves and not the residents.

5. There is no economic development going on in the 9th Ward. Our children are still awaiting the water park promised to Palmer Park.

6. I have never come across a stripper with a Ph.D. who has paid for her college education by working at a Gentleman's Club. This is easy money...Cash Money...and let's face our people want the easy life.... We must put a stop to the official opening of CLUBS LIKE THIS.

FIRST OF ALL I READ EVERY ONE COMMENTS AND I HEARD STORY OVER THE NEWS ABOUT THIS CLUB AND CAME FRIDAY APRIL 24 I DROVE PASS ON THE BISHOP FORD AND THIS PLACE WAS PACK I MEAN PACK IM NOT SAYING THIS IS A GOOD THING BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS AND I HATE TO MENTION NAMES OF PEOPLE OR CALL THEM OUT FOR INSTANCE WHO BIG CHURCH SITS RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS CLUB OH YES MR. REV MEEKS HIM SELF FUNNY WE HAVENT HEARD FROM HIM ON THIS BUT AFTER THIS COMMENT POSE I WILL HEAR FROM HIS MEMBERS ON HOW THEY WILL TAKE OFFENSE BOUT ME SAYIN SOME THING BOUT THERE PASTOR AND FAR AS ALDERMAN BEALE IS CONCERN YEAH RIGHT ALL THESE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THIS BUSINESS WAY BEFORE HAND CAUSE THE OWNER HAD TO APPLY FOR LICENCE BEFORE ANYTHING WAS DONE AND SO THEY ALL KNEW BUT SINCE PEOPLE IS PROTESTED IT THEY GOT TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD FOR THE TV IM NOT SOME ONE JUST MAKING A COMMENT AND DONT KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNITY I LIVED IN IT AND I DRIVE THE BUS (WORK)IN ROSELAND AREA FOR OVER 20 YRS AND I WATCH HOW THINGS GOT WORST AND I GOING TO MENTION FEW THINGS ROSELAND WHERE ARE GROCERY STORES FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA THEY CLOSE ALL STORES IT IS EMPTY LOTS AND PROMISE TO THE PEOPLE IT ONLY THAT NASTY JEWELS ON 115 HASTLED FRUIT IS OLD LOOK AT THE STORES AND WHO RUN THEM IN THE COMMUNITY HOW MANY DOLLAR AND FAMILY DOLLAR STORES DO U NEED IN ONE AREA THAT ALL OVER HERE I WATCH PEOPLE CATCH THE BUS 2 GO FAR OUT THEY WAY TO A GROCERY STORE AND THEN THEY WILL CLOSE THE JEWEL ON 115 AND OPEN UP THE ONE ON 119 BUT AGAIN FUTHER AWAY U PUT THESE HIGH STORES IN THESE AREA AND THESE OLDER PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME SOME YOUNG LADYS DONT EVEN HAVE JOBS AND SINGLE PARENTS TARGET IS HIGH FOR THIS AREA WHATEVER HAPPEN TO WALMART THEY SAID WAS COMING TO THE AREA AND WHERE ARE REAL MEAT MARKET STORE REAL CLOTHING STORES BUT IM NOT JUST PICKIN ON THE REV OR ALD BUT ALSO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY THEY MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON WAY THINGS ARE THEY WAY IT IS CAUSE WE DONT CARE WHAT HAPPEN IN OUR AREA WE JUST FUSS AMONG OURSELVES BUT LOOK AT THE YOUNG MEN THAT WALK AROUND WITH THEY PANTS HANGIN OFF THEM AND WHITE T-SHIRTS DIFFERENT COLOR SHOES AND THE YOUNG LADY THAT LOVES THAT GUY WITH IT ON AND WONDER WHY MEN DONT RESPECT YOU CAUSE U DONT RESPECT UR SELF IM ONLY SPEAKING WHAT I SEE GO ON EVERYDAY THESE YOUNG PEOPLE NEED SOME THING TO DO THEY SAY THERE IS NO EMPLOYMENT OUT HERE BUT I SEE ALOT OF EMPTY ABANDON BUILDING,PARKS THAT NEED TO BE CLEAN, ALLEYS NEED CLEANING, HAVE U DROVE THRU MICHIGAN BETWEEN 111 AND 115 WHERE THE HOMELESS KNOCK OVER TRASH CANS AND TRASH EVERYWHERE THERE ARE NO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR THESE KIDS TO ENJOY THEY ARE OUT OF SCHOOL MORE THEN THEY ARE IN EVERY TIME THE GOT A HALF DAY OR SCHOOL IS OUT THATS WHY IT IS WHOLE LOT OF KILLING GOIN ON TO MUCH FREE TIME ON THEY HANDS LOOK AT THE STUPID SHOWS ON TV ALL THESE REALITY TV SHOWS ALL YOU SHOW THESE KIDS OUT HERE GIRLS GOT TO HAVE THIS BEYONCE BODY AND COME UP ON MONEY LIKE JAYZ AND PIMP UR RIDE OUT AND DRIVE AROND THE SAME AREA OVER AND OVER AGAIN OR UNTIL IT A CONCERT AND U FINALLY COME UP OUT THE HOOD AND SHOOT SOME INNOCENT PERSON CAUSE U ARE A DUMMY THAT DONT SUPPOSE HAD A GUN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND U JUST WANT UR NAME ON TV BUT WE ARE WORRY BOUT A STRIP CLUB PEOPLE PLEASE WAKE UP BE FOR REAL CLEAN UP YOUR AREA IF U GOT GRASS CUT IT SEE TRASH PICK IT UP HOW BOUT THE PROSTITUTES ON 108,109,118 MICHIGAN THEY STAND ALL DAY AND NITE THEY ALWAYS AT BUS STOP AND AINT NEVER CAUGHT THE BUS WHY DONT WE COMPLAIN BOUT THAT AND BLACK PEOPLE I LOVE WE FINALLY GOT A BLACK PRESIDENT BUT STOP PUTTING HIS NAME IN UR MOUTH JUST 2 WHINE HE CANT DO EVERYTHING IT START WITH U FIRST AND HE ADD ON ON THINK BOUT THAT BUT I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW THIS WORLD IS BECOMING BUT IT NOT ENOUGH FOR ME TO

The 9th ward alderman knew about the club before hand. He just gets better press by opposing it a couple of days before it opens.

This is club is LEGAL.. and since the owner took care of all the licenses then i think eveyone should just let him run his business. There are plenty of gurls that are lookn for honest work and dancing is honest work. It puts the gurls in a save environment, keeping them from prostitution and escorting. Being an ex dancer of Deja vu... Indiana.. I was able to pay my way through college and gain 3 degrees, without pickn up ANY student loans. Regardless of what the community thinks, they should never knock anything that they havent tried. There are other clubs located throughout chicago area, and they have been going strong for years. I think the club is going to do exceptionally well. Best Regards!!!!

Maybe time to get rid of some of these Alderman (why do we need 50) Ald Beale was quick to jump in front of the cameras regarding Police pay, but he can not even take care of his ward with his hugh salary.

Relax. It's 2009. About Time Chicago got a MEGA Strip Club!! Anyone ever been to Miami? They have a Strip club called Tootsies - which is the size of a Walmart. Over 200 women a night at that one!! Settle down. America is the land of opportunity. Don't like it stay home!

What is posting videos of the patrons entering and leaving the establishment on YouTube going to do? Its 2009. I really don't think there are too many people out there who are to embarrassed to be seen going into a strip club. I understand the residents of the 9th ward have a need for a grocery store, but maybe if the area wasn't so bad, it wouldn't have to stay a "food desert". I also plan to spending my hard earned American dollars to support the fine, young women of the community who would like to express themselves and their bodies in the form of art. This is the land of opportunity, and as long as people are trying to support themselves in an honest, and legal way, I see no problems with women expressing themselves and their bodies. Not only will they be stimulating the economy with the money they earn, they will also be stimulating the patrons (no pun intended). Everyone is happy. Like someone said, if you don't like it, then don't go.

And lol @ writing a letter to President Obama to get some support. He would probably want to check it out.

Someone posted that the original name was going to be the Chocolate Factory... hilarious! Ah, no. Lord knows we all prefer to have another grocery store or strip mall - pun intended. However, what would you rather have in that location - A non-alcoholic club offering employment to almost 200 people and trying to revitalize the community or another cockroach-invested abandoned warehouse? At least this business is attempting to be on the up and up - acquiring all the licenses necessary to run an establishment - which is more than I can say for half the shops in that community. All the advertising and signage is pointing towards the expressway. Unless your kids are hanging out on a frontage road off of I-94, I'd focus your attention to the murders, rapes and drug dealing happening in the alleys and streets of that hood.

why make all this fuss over a strip club, put some cameras up in front of these drug houses, get these young men off of our street corners with their pants hanging down with dirty drawers on, close some of these liqour stores in the 9th ward!

Four Dead Wednesday Night and only one of the victims makes air time???????

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A motorist was shot in the back of his head and killed Wednesday night as he drove into an intersection in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side, officials said.

Robert Murray, believed to be in his 20s, was shot shortly before his vehicle crashed into another vehicle at West 70th and South Sangamon Streets. Police said it wasn't immediately clear if the person who shot him was inside or outside the car.
*
Two men were slain Wednesday in separate shootings not far from each other on the West Side, officials said.

Willie Parker, 38, was shot by at least one occupant of a passing vehicle about 5:45 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Monticello Avenue, officials said.

[...] More than eight hours earlier, 24-year-old Juan Hernandez, of Cicero, was shot in the 4400 block of West Augusta Boulevard.
*

A 37-year-old Chicago man was shot and killed while changing a tire Wednesday night at a South Side gas station, officials said.

Lamont Johnson, of the 7800 block of South Calumet Avenue, pulled up in his vehicle to a Marathon gas station near East 79th Street and South King Drive about 10:10 p.m.

After being elected for the third term, Alderman Beale still has not delivered on the promise that he made to bring the stores back to Roseland, nor do the other elected officials represent the needs of the members of this community. No petitions were circulated in our neighborhood to inform residents of the proposed strip club, nor to allow us the opportunity to voice our concerns. Now, signs are posted that “The Factory” is opening on April 24th and a reservation hotline (773-HOT-GIRL) is already soliciting customers for the grand opening! Do we need a strip club?

Ald. Beale is giving very lukewarm opposition to this establishment. If he truly did not want them in his Ward he could have galvanized unlimited community support and marched down to the Zoning Board hearing with enough people to impress upon them that this type of establishment is not wanted in this community. He is such a sad example of leadership. He is being forced to speak out because his absence of speech was becoming too noticeable by community churches and organizations. One can only assume that the owners of the Factory have paid out a lot of money in the 9th Ward.

I have already written to Mayor Daley and President Obama regarding this matter, asking for their help.

After being elected for the third term, Alderman Beale still has not delivered on the promise that he made to bring the stores back to Roseland, nor do the other elected officials represent the needs of the members of this community. No petitions were circulated in our neighborhood to inform residents of the proposed strip club, nor to allow us the opportunity to voice our concerns. Now, signs are posted that “The Factory” is opening on April 24th and a reservation hotline (773-HOT-GIRL) is already soliciting customers for the grand opening! Do we need a strip club?

Ald. Beale is giving very lukewarm opposition to this establishment. If he truly did not want them in his Ward he could have galvanized unlimited community support and marched down to the Zoning Board hearing with enough people to impress upon them that this type of establishment is not wanted in this community. He is such a sad example of leadership. He is being forced to speak out because his absence of speech was becoming too noticeable by community churches and organizations. One can only assume that the owners of the Factory have paid out a lot of money in the 9th Ward.

I have already written to Mayor Daley and President Obama regarding this matter, asking for their help.

I have no problem with them placing a gentleman's club in Roseland. No one will be forced to work there or to enter the building. Hmmm, it may help a few young women get off public aid and move out of their moms houses.And please to point cameras on hese corners and alley ways, where these cps students are getting killed each day.

I think it is a shame and a disrace to have a place of that sort to open. Why encourage this sort of disgraceful employoment for o
ur young women. I for one will give my full support against it. I am surprise that it has gotten this far with an opening date. Come on parents we can fight this!!!

This is a shame, he can offer young girls a job by taking off their cloths but he can't offer them something that will keep their cloths on so they can be respected. Instead, of thugs calling them out their names and treating them like a $2 hoe. Like this poverty stricken area needs more garbage dumbed in their community. If he want to help someone, why don't he offer the young people (especially young girls) jobs that will motivate them to be doctors, lawyers, nurses, politicans, community leaders, judges, entrepueners, executives. I get so tired of other races of people coming into the black community and taking money out; don't contribute a dime back into the community, and disgrace Black Women. Black men should be really angry and if you're not, then YOU'RE A SELL OUT!!!!

A few points:
1) The most important one--If you don't like it, DON'T GO IN THERE.
If that's not enough:
2) It is a legal business, and they will conform to all of the rules. If not, their licenses will be revoked one by one.
3)They have the RIGHT and the FREEDOM to be there.
4)If the Alderman is so worried about his neighborhood, why doesn't he do something about the crime, prostitution, and empty/abandoned buildings? Point the cameras there.
5) Haven't we learned by now? The politicians and priests and pastors and such have FAR more hidden shameful deeds than someone just trying to open a business.
6)Look at the oppression of the females in certain Middle Eastern religions. Look where that has gotten them. Females treated like dogs, and men that kill themselves so they can be in "heaven" with virgins. I think some loosening up does people good.
7)Repeat:If you don't like it, DON'T GO IN THERE.

I hope to see you protesters out there Friday. I always wanted to be a YouTube star.

Let's be frank, if this nude bar were to be located on Michigan Ave. it would've never been granted a permit to build. Before a location is allowed to even break ground license and permits have to be established through the city, the Alderman had to be aware that this was going in his neighborhood apparently he did n't care. It's disappointing that we allow things like this to go on in our neighborhoods without speaking up...Don't you think it's a little late. It appears that the Alderman has dropped the ball. residents of that Ward should remember this during Elections....

I find it hard to believe how we can obtain a strip club in the 9th ward without the knowledge of certain people. First the club applies and is approved as a Retail Food Establishment and this Business License was issued March 20, 2009. Then they turn around and were issued a Business license for Tobacco retail over counter on April 8, 2009. And then obtain a business license for Public place of amusement which was issued April 13, 2009 and they are schedule to open April 24, 2009. Now correct me if I am wrong the building has been up for a few months and the owners Bryan Foster; Double Eagle Entertainment, LLC; Freedom Highway, LLC; GND & Associates, LLC; JJ Investment Ventures, LLC; John L. Burys; No Vacations, LLC; Proventure, LLC; Rufus One, LLC; and The Factory Chicago, LLC; knew what kind of business they were going to run before it was even established, why wait and sneak to apply for the various business license on different dates under the nose of the community. Now if they can open up a club under the nose of a few people, why can't we open up a reliable grocery store for the citizens of the 9th ward? Now in a town hall meeting we were told it would cost more per brick in our community than in another community. And the point is what? Not to mention someone posted earlier that they would open up 100 jobs. Trust me it will not be the street walkers in the Roseland area. The owners are not going to want those, they are too dirty for them. They want your pretty little daughters that will draw men and their money. We better wake up people in the 9th Ward if we allow this just think of what is coming behind this.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with placing a LEGAL business in the Roseland community. Yes, the 9th ward is a high crime area. Yes, the 9th ward is drug infested. Yes the 9th ward has a lot of street walkers (prostitutes). However, make no mistake about it, that has nothing to do with placing a gentlemans club (which will create over 100 jobs) into the area. Furthermore, The club is in an industrial area. Not near any residences, or any other businesses that will be affected by its patrons. If u drive on the Bishop Ford expressway southbound, u will see it on ur right hand side in full view to the public. I really don't see any MORE crime being brought to the neighborhood by this establishment. I'm almost willing to bet that Alderman Beale knew previously about the club opening and APPROVED of it beforehand, but tried to save face by boycotting it (with little effort by the way) just to please a few people.

it is fair game the owner has pay the top people off the little people want they cut.

Maybe Alderman Beale should put cameras in high crime areas in his ward. Stripclubs are LEGAL. People should worry about all the violent crime in Chicago and not a legal enterprise. If I choose to go to the club and my photo ends up on youtube, I'll sure Alderman Beale. And the residents that stood outside and prayed in regards to the club just looked silly. Go pray in front of a crack house or gang hangout if you want to do some real good.

Just moving here from pittsburgh and seeing the rising problem of prostitution in chicago, I feel the club will help a lot of women who are out on these streets, to get off the streets. I believe I heard there aren't many strip clubs in chicago and that's why these women are sadly on the streets or involved in a so called escort service. Chicago has it backwards, they should be cleaning these women up. And if they continue to do the same thing, why not let them be in a safer enviroment and also make the money to support theirselves and maybe even their families. People think past
Your friendly neighborhood, my neighborhood is also nice but we have regular protitutes on my street and I wish they were somewhere in a strip club opposed to my street.

I find it hard to believe that zoning was passed for the srip club in the 9th ward without the approval of the Alderman Beale. This simply is not credible and an insult to our intelligence. Is this best econonmic development that he can offer this ward?

I seem to recall that the original name for this establishment was the Chocolate Factory. This is a shameful disregard for low-income African Americans.

We would like to join the community residents that the Alderman is working with. Can he please supply the names and contact info?

Thanks