NEXT STEP UNCERTAIN FOR TASTE BAR OWNER

With its liquor license slated to expire July 1, the future is uncertain for Cape Girardeau's only nightclub serving predominantly black customers.

Michael Pryor, owner of the Taste Restaurant and Lounge at 402 Good Hope Street, said Tuesday he hadn't decided his next move in the wake of the Cape Girardeau City Council's decision Monday not to renew his liquor license. Pryor, who has operated the Taste for 11 years, declined further comment.

Pryor's options include closing the business, challenging the council's action in court or continuing in operation but without serving alcohol.

Cape Girardeau City Attorney Eric Cunningham said Pryor could also reapply for his license. But considering the 7-0 vote against him, such action might not be worthwhile.

For the past year, police officials have asked the council not to renew the Taste's license, alleging continuing problems with crowds gathering outside the bar, particularly at closing time on busy Thursday and Saturday nights.

Acting Police Chief Steve Strong said that often all seven or eight officers on duty would have to respond to the bar to keep the peace.

Crowd problems

"Part of Mr. Pryor's problem was he never controlled the crowd down there," Strong said. "But we never felt he was fighting us, and he was always very pleasant to work with and cooperative."

Even though hanging out on Good Hope Street has long been a Cape Girardeau tradition -- Taste or no -- Strong said he expects the problem to dissipate if the bar closes.

"We do know that when he's been closed in the past, we've had fewer problems," Strong said.

Jaynne Brown, owner of Ed's Bar at 519 Good Hope Street, said she is uncertain how the Taste's closing would affect the neighborhood.

"You never can tell," Brown said. "The people are going to go somewhere."

Brown, who has worked at Ed's Bar for 39 years and owned it for 25, said that from her vantage point a block away it appeared that the problems with crowds gathering near the Taste had lessened significantly in recent months.

"In my opinion, things have improved 150 percent," Brown said.

Several Ed's Bar patrons echoed that opinion.

18 calls to police

According to police records, from July 1 through June 10 there were 18 calls to police at the Taste that resulted in a police report. Of those, 10 were for fights, assaults or peace disturbance.

Daytimer's Lounge at 829 S. Kingshighway was second in number of calls with 14, four of which were for fights, assaults or peace disturbance.

During Monday's council meeting, Pryor's attorney, Albert Lowes, said most of the reports attributed to problems at the Taste shouldn't have been.

"Only two of these complaint should be left at Mr. Pryor's doorstep," Lowes said.

The other reports involved incidents near the Taste or people who said they had recently been at the Taste.

In the remaining week and a half before the Taste's license expires, Strong said police aren't anticipating increased problems on Good Hope but will be prepared, particularly on June 30. In addition to being the Taste's probable last night in business, that date also falls on a Saturday, a traditionally busy night for the bar.

"We will be more watchful and be cognizant of any information we get indicating there will be more problems," Strong said.