By Scott North
Herald Writers
MUKILTEO — Here’s the naked truth: Snohomish County’s only alcohol-serving topless club is closing its doors.
The Monkey Trap, a tavern that has been quietly offering topless entertainment for several weeks, is closing at the end of the week after a dispute with its landlord, business owner Sam Patel said Thursday.
"Thanks to you," he added, laughing.
The Herald first reported on The Monkey Trap’s topless entertainment May 23. Patel said his landlord, who was already engaged in litigation with Patel over a tenancy dispute, ordered him to clear out after the club attracted unwelcome attention.
The landlord’s attorney, Evan Loeffler, said the situation is complicated, but confirmed his client was displeased by the topless entertainment.
"The owner wants to see them gone," Loeffler said. "It reflects poorly on her."
The Monkey Trap was one of only two topless establishments in Washington that operated under 25-year-old state Liquor Control Board laws that allow topless dancing at certain alcohol-serving establishments.
Patel had been offering the topless entertainment on Thursday nights only.
Court papers show that Patel and his landlord had been feuding about rent and the future of the business since late April. She alleged he failed to pay rent. He alleged she was trying to sell his business out from under him.
A Snohomish County Superior Court commissioner did not rule on who owed whom money, documents show. Instead, she signed an eviction order May 14. There was no dispute over who owned the property where the club has been operating.
Patel, who lives in King County, declined to say whether he hoped to reopen elsewhere.
His case spotlighted little-known provisions of the county’s adult entertainment laws, which exempt alcohol-serving establishments from county regulation. The local rules were written to regulate "soda pop" nude dance clubs, which don’t serve alcohol. Right now, the only nude business in the county is Honey’s Nightclub north of Lynnwood.
County officials say other topless clubs could open in taverns, so long as they are in areas zoned for industrial uses and located a sufficient distance from schools, churches, parks, youth-oriented facilities, most residential areas and rural areas.
Next-door neighbor Diane Cross, owner of the Children’s Warehouse consignment store, said she is glad to see the Monkey Trap evicted.
"My opinion is they just deserve to go. When you choose to do business with no morals, that’s ultimately what’s going to happen. I don’t think it’s anything goes — whatever it takes to make a buck."
You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431
or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.
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