Some Galloway Residents Want No Part of Proposed Gentlemen's Club

Galloway Township residents aren’t happy about it, and Deputy Mayor Don Purdy isn’t “jumping up and down” over the idea, but there’s no legal reason a much publicized gentlemen’s club can’t find its way to Galloway Township.

The club, proposed by Perry Stamelos, would take the place of the Vienna Inn Banquet Hall on the White Horse Pike, right next to Christina’s Restaurant and Bar.

Stamelos has owned these properties since 2006, although they were recently shut down, his attorney Michael Daily said.

The club is subject to restrictions because it is within 1,000 feet of a residential area, Galloway Planning Board attorney Mike Fitzgerald said. Those restrictions include no nudity and no contact between the patrons and the dancers.

All changes to the building will be interior. Stamelos doesn’t need approval from the township planning board, but his plan was subject to an Administrative Review, which was conducted by Township Planner Tiffany Cuviello and Engineer Craig Hurless.

The review states that the catering portion of the business will be converted into a gentleman’s nightclub, with a stage and special seating areas for “live entertainment,” and it will retain its liquor license. In accordance with zoning regulations set forth by the state, “live entertainment” is a permitted use.

“Sexually oriented businesses” are also not permissible within 1,000 feet of a residential area, but the definition for “sexually oriented business” is a business which features actual nudity or other specified lewd activities. The proposal for this business doesn’t fall under that category.

The club will feature VIP rooms and private dancing rooms, with restricted access. According to the review, the owner has indicated that activities that take place in these areas won’t violate the restrictions of the State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The dancers must be covered, but Fitzgerald said what Stamelos is proposing is “entirely legal.”

“It’s up to the A.B.C. to control it, and our zoning officer will also have to,” Purdy said.

According to Cuviello, the state would have to conduct inspections relative to the liquor license requirements and restrictions.

"It's not a matter of breaking a promise, it's a matter of breaking the law," Daily said. "If (Stamelos) doesn't follow that, he'll lose his liquor license, he can be shut down and he'd be subject to all kinds of fines and penalties."

Legality and enforcement isn’t what has some residents upset, however.

“They can try to sugarcoat it, but it is what it is,” said Linda Boone, 48, who lives directly across the street from the property with her husband, Troy, 47. “We’ve had no problems with this owner, but now we’re going to have to worry about drug activity and everything else that comes along with this type of establishment.”

“It’s going to depreciate my property,” Troy Boone said. “It’s right across the street from my house. … Would they want that put up across the street from their house?”

The Boones said they moved to Galloway Township 24 years ago because they were moving into a nice quiet town.

“Now this is what we’re going to have to deal with,” Troy Boone said. “ … It’s going to be an eyesore for Galloway. It doesn’t benefit everyone. It only benefits him.”

“It’s a shame,” said Matt Bowen, 29, who has lived across the street from the Vienna Inn for three years. “It’s a nice building and I hate to see it turned into a gentleman’s club. … But I understand he’s doing it for his family.”

Bill Bostel, 48, also moved to Galloway Township because he thought it was a quiet town in which to raise two children. He has an 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old daughter, and also lives across the street from the property currently known as the Vienna Inn.

“I know they’re trying to raise money, but I’m trying to raise children and I don’t want that across the street from my house,” said Bostel, who added that he moved from Little Egg Harbor Township in December because it was starting to become a bad area. “I wanted to get away from all that.”

“I’m not too pleased,” said Cindy Frank, 53, who has lived in the house next to Christina’s Bar for nine years. “I’m not looking forward to having that next door.”

Frank’s husband, Michael, has lived in the home his entire life, and plans to attend the council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, to protest.

The residents aren't the only one concerned with the impact the nightclub could have on the township. Mayor Keith Hartman is surprised that Stamelos, who he characterized as a family man and a smart business man, is bringing a gentleman's club to Galloway Township.

"I'm disappointed to see Galloway going in this direction," Hartman said. " ... This is not the image we want, but we have no influence. I just hope that if there's no way to stop it, it can be done tastefully and not be repulsive to those driving by."

Daily said that, in general, most people don't care, or they support this type of entertainment in other towns. 

"There's always a vocal group of people who have the worst ideas about entertainment with a sexy motif," Daily said. " ... You're always going to get a group that gets vocal and upset, and that's their right to do that."

Hartman said that while there is a market for this type of entertainment, he's not sure western Galloway Township is that market.

There are those who have been vocal, but there doesn’t appear to be much they can do.

“I’m not excited, but it’s (Stamelos’) property and Galloway can’t change that,” said Purdy, the deputy mayor. “We have to adhere to the laws. There’s nothing we can do.”