HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Madison County judge heard arguments from the owners of 708 Bar and Grill and attorneys for the city of Huntsville to rule whether the bar should reopen.
However, Judge Ruth Ann Hall did not rule on the motion.
The city shut the bar down in September after what they say were repeated instances of gun-related violence, drug activity, traffic disruption, and violations of alcohol and zoning laws.
Attorneys for the city of Huntsville filed their formal response on Monday to oppose any efforts to reopen 708.
“The city didn’t want us to get up and talk about it. I thought that’s what it’s supposed to be, us talking about it,” said 708 owner Malcolm Gopher.
Gopher said that bolting the doors to his business has been unnecessary. He contends that city officials have ignored his plea for a police presence like other establishments around the city.
“You block off a whole block downtown for Sammy T’s and the Whisky Barrel, or whatever the name is, downtown, and make sure people are safe but in our neighborhood, you don’t make sure people are safe. I want to know, what’s the difference?” Gopher asked.
Gopher said that the temporary injunction has taken a heavy financial toll on the business while missing out on the festivities surrounding the Alabama A&M University homecoming.
“It’s the biggest weekend of the year for a black vendor, but records show that they come every time during homecoming every year,” Gopher explained.
The city contends that bar owners and their attorney failed to appear at the preliminary injunction hearing despite advance notice. The bar attorney claims they missed the hearing due to a scheduling error.
Judge Hall said she would rule on the motion immediately, but was not clear on when that would be.
The city said that the injunction was to protect the community after years of problems linked to 708.
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