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Large nightclub proposed in Lodi
Owners expect 450 revelers a night on weekends if 'Rum Jungle' OK'd
The owner of a Downtown Lodi business that burned to the ground three years ago wants to build a new nightclub called Rum Jungle — complete with a full bar and a dance floor for 450 people on weekend nights.
Along with the nightclub, the building would feature a full restaurant on the second floor. The bottom floor would be turned into a shopping center, with nine spaces to lease out, similar to the new facility across from the Lodi post office.
If approved by the Lodi Planning Commission, the two-story Rum Jungle will hold nearly four times as many patrons as Mojo's, a popular night spot with a history of fighting, two blocks away on Sacramento Street.
The proposed Rum Jungle site, at 27 S. Sacramento St., is owned by Fayeq Rashid, who owned Rashid Imports between Pine and Oak streets until a fire destroyed it in May 2004. He and his 22-year-old son, Rashid Rashid, would operate the nightclub, although the younger Rashid would be mostly in charge.
"Right now, if people want to go out and dance, they have to go to Stockton or Sacramento or elsewhere. We don't want to create another bar; we want to create a nightclub scene," said Rashid Rashid.
Rum Jungle would provide a dance floor with DJ music and live bands, when possible. The Rashids expect about 450 customers on Friday and Saturday nights, with four or five security guards controlling the door to secure the entrance line, according to their application with Lodi's Community Development Department.
Another seven to nine guards would be inside the club, and a "patroller" would be located in the Downtown parking garage a block north.
"We plan on providing our own private security team — including metal detectors — to prevent problems before they happen. We want a classy place, and we will enforce a full dress code, including long-sleeved, collared shirts. No gang colors will be allowed. Gang activity will not be tolerated," said Rashid Rashid.
The jungle-themed nightclub would be open to anyone 18 and older. Those 21 years and older would receive a wristband identifying them as old enough to drink alcohol, according to the application.
Plans to open Rum Jungle met with mixed reaction among neighboring businesses. The Lodi Police Department is downright alarmed with the idea.
"I have some serious concerns about another establishment of this nature," said Lodi Police Lt. Chris Piombo, who oversees the Downtown area and is researching Rashid's application.
"We already have staffing concerns with other bars and the theater," Piombo said. "The Downtown area is pretty saturated with this kind of establishment."
Piombo said that Rum Jungle has the potential to have the same problems as Antonio's Latin Club, which closed in 2005 shortly after a 43-year-old man was shot and killed outside the establishment. Antonio's was known for weekend crowds of up to 1,000 people.
Owner: Fayeq Rashid.
Business operators: Fayeq Rashid and his son, Rashid Rashid.
Uses: Restaurant would open at 11 a.m. and stop seating people at 8 p.m.; nightclub with full bar to open at 9 p.m. Last call is at 1:30 a.m. and nightclub to close at 2 a.m.
Cover charge: $10 for those 21 and older; $12 for 18- through 20-year-olds.
Customers: About 450 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dress code: Men must wear a collared button-up shirt. Prohibited attire includes tennis shoes, gang clothing, long chains and hats.
Parking: Downtown garage at northeast corner of Pine and Sacramento streets. Could have valet parking in the future.
Source: Lodi Community Development Department.
Piombo's issues associated with Rum Jungle include:
• The need to provide extra police service when there are several other bars in Downtown Lodi, including Mojo's.
• More people walking through nearby dark alleys and having to walk up and down stairs at the nightclub when intoxicated.
• Effect on residents at nearby Imperial Hotel, the parking garage nearly a block away and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks across the street from Rum Jungle.
• Possible vandalism and other problems for nearby businesses.
• Effect on police protection in other parts of Lodi if additional officers are needed for a large nightclub.
Jan Spotorno, who owns two businesses on Sacramento Street, has an answer — require Rashid to pay for extra police officers to patrol the Downtown area if he's allowed to open the nightclub.
On the other hand, Dale Reasor, owner of Landd Special T's on Oak Street, supports Rum Jungle as long as it's upscale like Lodi Beer Co. or Old Arch Brewing Co. on School Street.
"I don't see anything wrong with it," Reasor said. "Some people might think it will draw a bad crowd. It all depends how high class he keeps it."
In their planning application, the Rashids said they will enforce a dress code banning tennis shoes, gang attire and hats.
Spotorno, however, said another nightclub would not be good for Downtown Lodi's image.
"I don't think that's what Downtown was meant to be," Spotorno said. "We want a wholesome, family oriented business Downtown. Do we have enough jail space for 450 inebriated people?"
Other potential problems, she said, are vandalism to closed businesses and trash in the streets.
Reo Nathan, who owned Reo's Appliance Center around the corner from the Rum Jungle site, also said he opposes the nightclub because Downtown Lodi has enough bars.
The city will require a use permit because of the alcohol and live entertainment.
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

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