Private club in Spencer vows safety to be priority

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 11, 2019

SPENCER — Promising a full bar, live bands, pool tables, “occasional male and female strippers” and more, a private club is on the way to Spencer’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The property, located at 1840 N. U.S. 29, is owned by Ann Huffman of Lexington. The building is the former location of a bar called The Blue Goose, she said.

Huffman said she purchased the property with the intent to open a private club and to “bring back what it felt like” when The Blue Goose was operating.

A conditional-use permit for the new establishment, branded Koyote Ugly, was approved during Tuesday’s Spencer Board of Aldermen meeting.

Huffman said the atmosphere at The Blue Goose was one where all were welcome.

“It’s just a close-knit group of people looking to enjoy music, watch sports, have a drink and get together,” she said.

The membership fee, which Huffman said would be $25 annually, is meant to ensure the club is able to “keep a lot of trouble and stuff out,” Huffman said.

Additionally, trouble will be kept at bay through a staff of six bouncers, two rotating bouncers, metal detectors and an 18-camera security system, she said.

For added safety off site and as club members travel home, Huffman detailed a designated-driver program.

“Designated drivers are the key essential of my business,” she said. “They make sure the people that come in go home safely.”

Huffman offered the information about security after questions from aldermen at Tuesday’s meeting, as well as concerns raised by a nearby resident about noise, parking, disruptive behavior, alcohol consumption and the nature of the clientele.

The club will begin on a Thursday-Sunday schedule, open from noon to 2 a.m. Huffman said the hope is to add days as sports season approaches, as the club will have TVs to show games.

Huffman also communicated a more family-friendly, daytime hope for the business.

“My hope is to take that membership fee and, once a month, host a buffet-style meal for members and their families,” she said. “We won’t serve alcohol. We’ll just offer it as a time for people to get together with their children and grandchildren and friends.”

Police Chief Mike James said he is confident that Huffman and her staff have done their due diligence to ensure the club will be run safely.

“Their goal was to make it a safe place,” James said. “They’re really even wanting to look after kids in the area and host events for the children of Spencer there as well.”

With approval from the aldermen and the Planning Department, the club will apply for its ABC licensing, with hopes to open by July 18.