NOW WHAT?

374. Closing the Palace was the worst, confusing and devastating event that I ever encountered in my entire business life. I kept hoping that I would wake up every morning and be able to tell my wife “I had this really weird dream”. But it wasn't a dream. It was reality. My mind was just racing and was filled with thoughts like “How did this happen?”, “Why did this happen?”, “Where do I go from here?”, “What is wrong with this Mayor?” and many others. Never having been involved in anything even remotely like this, I really didn’t know what to do. I guess that’s why they have lawyers. Nothing against lawyers, but I would rather settle things without them. But the city, specifically the Mayor never told us what exactly we had done wrong and never once gave us a remedy to avoid being shut down.

375. I finally hired a new lawyer on August 19,2022. The previous lawyer had advised me that we proceed with a sale to Jordan Wheat because the Mayor had said he would never approve a license to me even though I had previously held 13 of them in Superior over the years. I also had many more in Ottawa and Florida as well. No reason was given as to why he wouldn't. Below is a letter my new lawyer sent to me on Aug 24, 2022.

COMMENTS

So that is the beginning of my relationship with my new lawyer. At this point I am pretty much out of the picture. The original plan to sell the company to Jordan was that she would run it for 2 to 3 years. I would retain ownership during that time. I also would not be involved in the day to day operations. Then we could approach the bank, and see what kind of financing they could offer and then complete the sale to Jordan. But the Mayor’s actions put the brakes on that idea. On Blog 37(That is the one with my bio), I financed four of the seven businesses I sold, so I am very versed in how to do that.

376.

On August 19 Chief Alexander sent am email to Mayor Paine and Frog Prell

This is an email shared on August 19, 2022 @ 10:48am between the sender, Chief Alexander and recipients, Frog Prell & Mayor Paine.

"New owner of the Palace Bar came in and met with me. It is Jordan Wheat - the former manager. She seemed candid and said she never had the support of the owners to make meaningful changes. She is hoping to find a path to licensure. She provided me a draft of a business plan which generally covers many of our concerns. She also indicated she planned to turn it to a country themed bar and was not looking to capture the old troubling making crowd. She mentioned that she will not be hiring Anthony Bugg and wants all employees, even bouncers, to have a bar tending license which triggers the city doing a background on all of them. She also included things like noise abatement, underage drinking, metal detector wands, bouncers at all exits to keep drinks inside...I mentioned to her the idea of a probationary period and she was not opposed to that either. I suggested we have a meeting with her and the Mayor and CA Prell. Wondering if the two of you have any time on Thursday or Friday next week to accommodate that?"

On the same day he also sent Jordan Wheat this email.

Good morning Jordan and Ryan –

I had a chance to review the draft policy you provided me and overall I like the items you have included. Specifically having ID card readers, get a metal detector wand at least for random screenings, and requiring all staff to have the bar tenders license. I think these are all plans that will help alleviate some of the city’s concerns.

I have sent an email to the Mayor and City Attorney requesting a meeting. Tentatively I am hoping we can do that sometime next Thursday or Friday. I will let you know any dates and times that work for us once they reply. Thanks, Nick

This shows you that Jordan was willing to work with the city while the Mayor just keeps talking in circles with no ideas or solutions.

377. Jordan had set up a meeting with the city for Aug 26, 2022 to discuss the situation at hand. She received a text from the Chief on Aug 25, 2022. See below.

COMMENTS

This is now the second meeting in a row that has had a problem. The first one was when the Mayor didn’t show up for his own “Pity Party”. That’s the meeting that was scheduled when the Mayor was in Las Vegas. That’s the meeting that could have been held any other time. I believe that was intentionally scheduled so the Mayor would not have to be there. As we go forward you will see a pattern of this type of behavior from him. The meeting was rescheduled until Sept. 8, 2022.

378. I had asked Jordan that after her meeting on Sept. 8, 2022, to write down notes describing the meeting from her perspective. Below are her notes.

In my meeting today with; Mayor Jim Paine, Chief of Staff Scherf Rebecca, City attorney Frog Prell, Chief of Police Nicholas Alexander, My spouse Ryan, and myself. These are some of the things brought up and some of the requests they have made of me in order to consider a liquor license. 

1- Right away The Mayor announced that he was running late and had a ton of stuff to do in the next thirty minutes so this was mainly a get-to-know Ryan and myself meeting. He then proceeded to not ask me a single question about myself or even speak a word to Ryan and just went straight into his unrealistic demands of what I needed to do to be able to get my license.

COMMENTS

Of course the Mayor didn’t ask you a single question about yourself or even speak a word to Ryan. He has no class or manners. He treats people like they are his servants. (Except Melissa Hyatt of course). He should not be in any work environment where he has power over other people. He does not have the temperament or skill sets to be in any management position whatsoever.

2-The first thing they asked me was how and when did the decline of the Palace bar start.

COMMENTS

There was no decline in the business. Things were doing very well. There were only two things wrong with it. Mayor Paine and Melissa Hyatt.

3-The mayor also asked me when I started working there and when I took over as Management.

4-The mayor then told me I was the “fall man” for the lead up to the shut down.

COMMENTS

Why would there be any “fall man” other than the criminals.

5-The Mayor asked me if I already bought the property, I responded “no not yet it is in the works and will be finalized once I receive the license.” the mayor then said “I disagree that you should buy the building first but I get it you want to open a bar”.

COMMENTS

Could somebody tell me what school the Mayor went to so I can make sure not to send my kids there. Why would she buy the company without the license? It would cost several thousands of dollars to implement the sale. The lawyer and accountant were aware of the deal and upon receiving the license they would have then gone forward with it. It wouldn't have taken long to get that done and she would not have opened until it was done. No big deal. It’s no different than putting an offer on a home pending financing and inspection.

6-Give the following city members the financial proof that I can afford to purchase the building of Palace and the previous business of Palace.

COMMENTS

With all due respect, It’s none your damn business. It’s not a requirement on getting a license. How many other people have been asked this question? Let me guess. Probably none.

7-The mayor asked if I was going to have a partner or if it was just me alone buying the property.

8-Give them a better business plan other than the “ideas” that I have already given them.

COMMENTS

It would be easier if you told us what it is you wanted but the truth is the only thing you really wanted was to shut us down and keep the Palace closed.

9-Give them a business plan with pictures and drawings of what I want to change in the bar.

COMMENTS

Same as my comments on point 8

10-The mayor said he liked my “ideas” for the guidelines and procedures that I have previously given them.

11-I mentioned two bars in the cities I would like to use ideas from to incorporate into the Palace and he said he was going to go take a look at those bars like he didn’t believe me. These bars are in the cities not right down the road.

12- The Mayor suggested that I make most of these “changes” before I open back up, just turning on the lights will not work.

COMMENTS

Again. How many other people have been asked this question? Let me guess. Probably none. And what experience and successes have you had? I can answer that. None. So, how would you know a good or bad business plan.

13-What build outs of the building I am going to be doing, to which I responded that “I had no plans to do anything like that”.

COMMENTS

What in hell is he talking about. We don’t have any land to do any build outs.

14-They said that one of (A Dozen Excuses) main complaints was about the parking lot, and what I was going to do about it.

COMMENTS

What would you have us do? Me and my staff don’t park in her lot (which I think is 3 or 4 spaces). Ticket them, tow them, do what you have to do. She has plenty of signage up telling people not to park there. Apparently some people can't read. And as I’ve said before, it’s not always our customers parking there. By the way, is this really any of the city’s business?

15- They brought up the second incident (the second shooting that happened behind the Cobblestone hotel) which was not on Palace property but are still blaming us.

COMMENTS

If they continue to say it and wish it enough it will become true in their minds at least. Just ask O.J.

16-The following city members have made it very clear that I need to make amends with the neighboring business of (A Dozen Excuses). 

COMMENTS

When I read this my eyes started bleeding. Whatever city members you are referring to need to be drug tested immediately.

17-They also mentioned that the owner of (A dozen Excuses, Melissa) is friends with some of the city council members and that they consider her word highly.

18- I need to become not only friends with the neighboring business but also the city council members.

19-I need to be in good standing with (A Dozen Excuses, Melissa) and not an enemy.

20-They said it would be in my best interest to get some of the city council members on my side.

COMMENTS

How is she going to that when they seem to be members of the Melissa Hyatt cult.

21-Mayor Paine said he liked that I had metal detectors in my previous business plan, but in the same sentence he said he doesn't want to go somewhere that has metal detectors.

COMMENTS

Yes, just like he was “for” the proposed gas plant in Superior before he was “against” it.

22-Mayor Jim Paine said the Chief of Police's only role in getting me my liquor license is running a background check to see that I am clean. Which they already have, and I am clean.

COMMENTS

Hey Mayor, did you just throw the Chief under the bus? I have my disagreements with the Chief but he has always been cordial and timely on every request I have sent him, unlike your office. I would take the Chief’s word over yours any day of the week.

23-The mayor said there are 3 tiers of bars in town, you have the ones that nothing ever happens (spirit room), the middle ones where they are okay, some fights but not bad, (Tower Ave Tap), and then the bottom of the barrel bars being (Palace, 3rd base, and the strip clubs).

COMMENTS

Just what you’d expect from a Marxist/Communist. Mayor Paine equates success with something bad. The worst bars according to him are the most successful ones in Superior. Of course they have more calls because they do more business. He really is a danger to this city. He possesses very little common sense and doesn't understand a thing about business. Case in point. I sent the Chief an email on Nov 14, 2023. (See below).

Hi Chief,

Could you get me the three businesses with the highest number of police calls for 2021 and 2022.

This request is not just for bars. It's for all businesses including bars if they happen to be in the top three.

Thanks, Brian

I pretty much knew the answer. Can you guess who they are?

Here is the Chief’s reply (see below)

Alexander, Nicholas F.

From: alexandern@ci.superior.wi.us

To: brian noel

Brian - see below –

1-Walmart

2-Kwik Trip
, Hammond Ave.

3-Super One on Oakes Ave.

Makes sense doesn't it? These are probably the three most successful stores that have the highest amount of customers in town. Notice, no bars in the top 3. Should these three places be shut down? Of course not. Did they all get nasty threatening letters from the Mayor? I don’t know but I doubt it. But by the Mayor’s logic or lack of logic they should be shut down shouldn't they? And that is why he is a danger to this city. He is not consistent. We all see what’s going on here don’t we? And by the way, with all due respect to Linda Graskey, city counselor and owner of the Spirit Room (which the Mayor seems to like) is open 18 hours a week. In fact if you were to take the Spirit Room, Hammond Steakhouse, Superior Waffles and A Dozen Excuses they are open 98 hours per week collectively. The Palace was open 113 hours a week.  It’s all about context isn’t it?

24-The mayor Jim Paine said I need to “Make me excited” for this bar that I would want to hangout at. 

COMMENTS

You don’t want to get the Mayor too excited because you don’t want him as a customer. It would be bad for business.

25-The mayor said once I “make him excited about my bar then we could talk about city grants”.

COMMENTS

Let’s be real here. The only that would excite him is shutting down the bar and he did.

26-The mayor had mentioned the hours of operation of (A dozen Excuses) and how the bar isn’t helpful to her.

COMMENTS

This really is beyond stupid but I’ve become accustomed to the Mayor’s statements.

We were opened every day at 10:00 AM. We could open at 6:00 AM. The donut shop is open at 6:00 AM five days a week. They close at noon. So we overlap 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. That is 10 hours a week. 10am till noon is usually the slowest time for us. I can’t for the life of me see how we could interfere in any way with her business. And as per usual, The Mayor offers no details or explanation.

27-Mayor Paine said that my “list of ideas” would have been good to know and have back in April when things started to go wrong.

COMMENTS

If you wanted that, all you had to do was send me letter like you did to Lady VI’s and Centerfolds and I would have called you right away and met with you. But no, you sent me a nasty and threatening letter that any business person would have immediately called their lawyer. You didn’t want a list of ideas. You knew exactly what you wanted to do. 

28-The Mayor said that if he goes to the council “wishy washy” then they most likely wouldn’t back him up but if he went in there confident then things would go his way. Indicating that if I met all of his requests, that he had the power to make the council say yes to giving me my license but also the power to deny me.

COMMENTS

For the Mayor to say “they most likely wouldn’t back him” and then say “that he had the power to make the council say yes”. I will let you, our readers figure this one out. But clearly he is power hungry and that’s not good.

29-Overall, this meeting felt as if they were just checking the box to say they met with me and had no intentions of getting any steps closer to me obtaining my license and eventually opening the bar. They essentially went around in circles saying to build rapport with the city council and neighboring businesses to try and gain their blessings to get the bar back opened.

30-In leaving the meeting I had mentioned to The Chief and to Frog that (Melissa) had waved at me the other day and they responded “Oh really well that’s a good start”. They then both wished me good luck.

MY FINAL WORD

Just like the first meeting which I called “The Mayor’s Pity Party”. Yes the one he missed because he was in Las Vegas on your taxpayer dollars. I am going to call this one “Melissa Hyatt’s Pity Party”. There was no ideas or solutions from the Mayor, just a lot of idiotic questions. What’s with these people who don’t even attend their own parties? As soon as he got there he said “Right away The Mayor announced that he was running late and had a ton of stuff to do in the next thirty minutes”. Sorry Mayor but we have a business that you shut down illegally in our opinion and we are here to right your wrong. This was another set up, likely for legal reasons. The only good thing about it is that it exposes how inept and dangerous he is to the City of Superior.

Thanks for reading today and I’ll see you soon.

Brian