PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Kulture, the Richmond Street nightclub where a security guard was hurt in a stabbing on Oct. 12, will stay dark for eight days under a penalty set Thursday by the Providence Board of Licenses.
The club has not opened since that night. Under the agreement it stays closed through Friday, with three more dark nights to follow: Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. Owners also have to hand the board a new security plan.
Board members heard that a fight broke out first, that staff used pepper spray, and that the guard was hurt while patrons were being walked out of the building.
Much of the hearing turned on the club having no working security cameras that night. Officials said the gap has made it harder for police to pin down where the attack happened and to find a suspect.
One member wanted the cameras fixed before any reopening. Attorney Nick Hemond, who represents the club, refused that term, and the board dropped it. Board Chair Peter Mancini pointed to the business having almost no violations in its five years open as the reason for the lighter outcome.
After the vote, Hemond argued that the club itself was hurt by the attack, saying it stemmed from violent patrons rather than poor management, and that a camera outage tied to an internet repair should not keep a business closed. He also said the board treats business owners more harshly than the people who commit crimes.
For Providence nightlife regulars, the practical effect is a shuttered Richmond Street venue through this week and on three more dates running into November.
The board also took up a separate fight at another downtown restaurant and pushed that case to a later meeting.
Section: More Providence RI business news
Filed under: Providence RI Business News
