Image source: YouTube
In the city of Chicago, one restaurant owner is in uproar after the city decided to revoke his license in the middle of a battle surrounding his establishment.
The source of conflict? A debate whether the place is an eatery or a nightclub.
The restaurant
Rashad Bailey is an entrepreneur who finally realized his dream last year when he opened Dinner and a Movie in 2021.
Dinner and a Movie was based in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, where it advertised serving waffles, alcohol, movies, and music.
According to Bailey, the establishment caters to class reunions and birthday parties in a celebration of Black love and gatherings.
Read also: 10 Restaurants in Portland That Stands Out
The complaints
While Dinner and a Movie sounds like one of the best places to visit in the city, it has been the subject of complaints from neighbors.
People who live around the establishment have pointed out the noise that comes from the restaurant.
Since opening its doors to customers, Dinner and a Movie has been the scene of several fights.
In June 2021, a shooting took place after a fight broke out. Fortunately, no one was hit.
2022
In the last week of July, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection decided to revoke Dinner and a Movie’s business license.
The decision comes after months of conflict wherein the department said the restaurant functioned more like a tavern.
It is also noted to have failed to take steps in fixing the nuisance complaints.
Read also: Andrew Molen’s Calcuttas Restaurant Introduces New Exciting Menu in Time for Spring and Golf Season
What Rashad Bailey had to say
Despite the number of people complaining about the noise and violence in the restaurant, founder Rashad Bailey said his business was targeted by police upon opening.
“This year, (during hearings with the city), I found out I had about 10 undercover officers in my restaurants within a week’s time of me opening with no incidents happening,” he revealed.
Bailey also said that Chicago police would harass his business, often showing up in large numbers unannounced.
One month after the shooting at Dinner and a Movie, a video showed police breaking into the establishment.
However, the restaurant was closed during the incident.
Rashad Bailey revealed that Chicago’s business department started investigating the restaurant shortly after it opened for selling liquor beyond its license.
At the time, the department revoked Bailey’s restaurant privileges to serve lunch and operation past midnight.
Bailey also blamed Dinner and a Movie’s closing on neighbors, accusing them of making fake complaints due to its large Black customer base.
“This is racism,” Bailey said.
“They’re putting crime and the problems of the city on me. They see Black music, Black people, and they think that’s the problem.”
Meanwhile, Yelp reviews on Dinner and a Movie say the restaurant only offers a small menu, security pat-downs at the entrance, and an extra cover charge.
Rashad Bailey threw his hands up, saying he is done fighting city hall.
Instead, Bailey will leave Chicago.
“Because Dinner and a Movie was Black,” he said. “The Black birthday is a problem and some days, we are.”
“I told someone else, there are people out here in Chicago that shoot people and reb people, and they are savages and should be locked up.”
“Because hardworking Black people, we don’t want to deal with that, and they group us together,” Bailey added. “I don’t want to deal with that.”
References:
Chicago man says city shut down his business, Dinner and a Movie, because he’s Black
Chicago man believes city shut his business down because he’s Black
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
