EAST SPENCER — After months of languishing in court, the case against Teri’s Social Club now goes back to the East Spencer Board of Aldermen.

Superior Court Judge Mark E. Klass ordered Monday that the town’s effort to close down Teri’s as an adult establishment will have to restart with another “full hearing” on Sept. 10 before the town board.

During a pre-trial conference last week, the judge told both sides that he could not uphold the town’s order to close the club without live testimony, Town Attorney Eric Ellison said

Although Teri’s can continue to operate — and has operated since the town first ordered it to close almost a year ago — owner Melissa Church had hoped that the judge would throw out the town’s case completely.

“She really wanted a judge or someone to say, ‘Look, you did this wrong,’ ” said Chad Brooks, also of Teri’s. “We didn’t know it would be sent back to the Board of Aldermen.

“... It’s just going back to where it all started.”

After an Oct. 9, 2000, hearing, the East Spencer Board of Aldermen concluded that Teri’s was operating illegally as an adult establishment. The board revoked the club’s business license and ordered it to close. Church appealed that action to Rowan County Superior Court.

Ellison submitted three written statements at that hearing from former club employees.

The women’s statements charged that employees performed sexual acts at the club, that prostitution occurred on the premises, that female employees were required to perform sexual acts and that alcohol was sold without an ABC license.

Ellison could not get the women to appear in person at the hearing, but the board accepted the written statements given to police.

Church and other employees have denied all of those accusations, which they characterize as coming from disgruntled former employees.

The club offers public and private dancing, but no nudity is involved, the owner says.

Church emphasizes that her employees and customers are monitored and that she would fire any women who attempt to perform sexual acts for customers.

Teri’s business license came up for renewal in July. Brooks said he has tried to meet at least four times with Zoning Administrator Charles Ramsey to obtain a renewal, but Ramsey has not been available.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or e-mail him at mwineka@salisburypost.com .