Popular Dallas Nightclub Closes Its Doors

[TexasStooge]

CBS 11’s Stephanie Lucero reports:

A popular and long-running nightclub in Dallas has shut its doors. The Red Jacket has been the origin of numerous complaints about noise and disorderly conduct.

Now the doors are locked and the locks have been changed. The owner of this property has been trying to get the lessee to pay for rent - now the dance club is just a hollow shell.

For eight years running the Red Jacket was a popular place for young adults to dance and drink - about two years ago the Ruby Room was added.

But homeowners in the area have repeatedly complained about noise and bar patrons urinating in homeowners' yards.

Sam Matassa is the property owner. “At five o'clock we had a court order that stated we could enter the building and take repossession of the building and that's exactly what we did.”

Matassa says John Kenyon, the man leasing the club, hasn't paid rent since April. Anticipating an eviction order, the lessee pulled everything out of the bar and vacated the building.

Bob Helterbran lives nearby - he says he could hear loud music coming from the club nearly a block away.

“John Kenyon, who is the manager of the Red Jacket, I don't think he cared about the neighborhood at all. He never responded positively to any of the complaints that I’m aware of.”

In the eighties, it was called fast and cool. In the 90's it was fish dance. Matassa says the property will never again be called the red jacket - and the complexion of this corner could change very soon.

“I seriously doubt it will ever be another night club. What we'd like to do is subdivide it and put some retail space in, possibly another bar, possibly a sports bar, or something to that affect, maybe a restaurant.”