DeKalb residents and city officials seem to agree on one thing—teen clubs and juice bars in DeKalb need to be regulated with laws and restrictions.

At a public hearing held at the regular DeKalb City Council meeting Monday night, possible regulation of juice bars, in light of recent problems with DeKalb’s only such teen club, Phat City, was discussed.

“We have a business in the city that we never anticipated, a non-alcoholic entertainment club,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said. “There are positive and negative aspects (of such a club).”

Nicklas said such an establishment was not anticipated and therefore not regulated in the municipal code—leading to the need for a hearing and the subsequent legislation being worked on.

Some council members reported getting many calls from constituents concerning Phat City.

Fourth Ward Ald. Rita Tewksbury said she received several calls, all negative. “I’m not saying the idea is negative, I think it’s long overdue,” she said. “But I was appalled when I found out they (Phat City) closed at 4 a.m. I think we’ll have to be very restrictive for this to work out.”

A resident of DeKalb who works for the Downtown DeKalb Association, Allyn Davenport, said he has noticed alcohol containers outside of Phat City. “(Although it is a non-alcoholic establishment), there are an awful lot of open bottles and beer cans outside,” he said.

“I tried to contact the (owners of Phat City) for five days, but there was no one to talk to at the building,” Davenport said. “I don’t think they care (about the problems).”

Another resident agreed with Davenport that there needed to be regulations, but found it hard to believe the city didn’t see this issue coming sooner.

“I find it interesting to find DeKalb is surprised to encounter something like this,” saie Steve Kapitan. “Young people have gathered in parking lots for years.”

Kapitan said liquor establishments in the city set an example for the younger generation on what to do for social activities. “(The kids) are embarking in the process of socialization, and what do we have in the city as a model for this?” he asked. “The bars. We have socialization around alcohol.”

While there are no effective controls over alcohol in parking lots, Kapitan said there could be control if these young people could go to an establishment. “(Teen clubs) are a very positive thing, and should be encouraged under the proper controls.”

At issue also is age restrictions and curfew. Third Ward Ald. Gary Wiggins said ages should be separated when clubs get licensed.

“I am a strong advocate of segregation, (with clubs making the decision to be) either a 17 and under club or an 18 and over club,” Wiggins said. “A teen club should be closed one half hour before curfew, while the older club should close a half hour before the bars.”

“I’m not saying the idea is negative, I think it’s long overdue. But I was appalled when I found out they (Phat City) closed at 4 a.m. I think we’ll have to be very restrictive for this to work out.