Sandy Springs strip club shut down for violations

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The city of Sandy Springs has shut down a strip club after fire inspectors said they found numerous “life and safety” violations.

Only Channel 2 Action News was there last week as police raided Flashers and two other adult dance clubs in the city, citing dancers and owners for various violations.

According to an order obtained by Channel 2's Mark Winne, the fire marshal noted numerous violations, including doors that couldn't open easily, exits not properly marked, electrical issues, flooring that could cause tripping and flammable materials throughout the business.

City spokeswoman Sharon Kraun sent Channel 2's Mike Petchenik a statement about the closure:

"The facility at 6420 Roswell Road was closed under the direction of the Fire Marshall's office due to numerous fire and life safety code violations. This is an older facility with no sprinkler system in place, and among the violations are serious electrical hazards, constituting an imminent threat to human life. You don't have to look too deeply in national headlines for examples of the types of injuries and deaths that could occur should a fire erupt. Once the building owners have made needed corrections and pass inspection to ensure compliance, the business can be cleared to re-open."

A man who identified himself as an employee of the club’s owner, told Petchenik the closure was affecting the dancers, many of them single mothers, just before Christmas.

“They don’t understand what they’re doing to working families,” said the man, who asked not to be identified.

The man told Petchenik he believed the city was unfairly targeting the club.

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“There’s 10,000 other strip clubs in the country.  How many other girls are sitting with their families and will have good Christmases?” he asked. “These girls are worried about finding another damn job until we get this place fixed up.”

Petchenik spoke to club attorney, Louis Levenson, who told him the owner had hired a licensed contractor to complete the necessary repairs.  Levenson said his client feels “singled out.”

“I recognize this is not an ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ style business and I recognize that there was a raid and I recognize that some dancers have been charged,” Leveson said.  “What is troubling is that I know of no other business in Sandy Springs summarily shut down without the opportunity to cure code violations or electrical violations.

Cox Media Group