Zuri Banquet Hall

this place is closed down

Letter to various news outlets:
I am writing this to you for your help. On Friday, February 6, 2009 I was a victim of a hate crime while walking home from Alberston’s in North Park, which happens to be across the street from my house. As I was walking home, people waiting in line to get into Zuri’s Banquet Hall started screaming «faggot, faggot, faggot… I’m going to kill you faggot» and then proceeded to throw rocks at me, although they did hit me, luckily did not cause any injuries. What was even more surprising was one of these people was their doorman. Being a very active, proud and sometimes overly brave gay man, I walked right up to the doorman and insisted on seeing the owner. After quite some time, the owner of this establishment came out and inquired what I wanted. I informed him of the incident, which included one of his employees, and he said that homosexuals are un-​natural and said that maybe I should just move out of the neighborhood because he and his «people» are not going away. I left and contacted 911.
Around 30 minutes after calling 911, Officer Spillane (badge #6099) showed up at my home and started the incident report (#13 048). I informed him of what had happened and he advised me the business is being investigated by the vice squad and by filing the report, it will help get the «ball rolling». I won’t bore you with the entire conversation, but I felt the police aren’t doing anything to protect this neighborhood against the bullies that hang out at this banquet hall.
As you may know, Zuri’s Banquet Hall is located at 2200 University Ave, the location of the former Club 2200, a gay bath house that City Attorney Michael Aguirre closed 2 years ago because it was a «menace» to the neighborhood. During the many years Club 2200 was in business, I am sure there were not threats or disturbances to the neighborhood. The building is owned by Alma Vasic, owner of F Street. Zuri’s originally opened as a banquet hall, which would be fine, but has now opened up on weekends as a teen dance and hang-​out hall… and to say the least, has been a nightmare. Every weekend there are teenagers running around the neighborhood drinking alcohol, breaking out car windows, doing «grab & dashes» from Albertson’s and causing all kinds of havoc on all of us who live around the establishment. Because of a gay bar being just a block away, our community is in danger. These teenagers, encouraged by the owner of Zuri’s are harassing and threatening any and all gay people who happen to be walking or living around the business. These threats, as well as this business has to be stopped. I would like to personally do a petition to get this business closed, but to be honest, am afraid the owner and his patrons will physically harm me. I know everyone in my complex feels the same as me about getting the business closed, but are also afraid of the consequences. Any help or articles you can run on this situation would truly help our community.

I always wondered about this building as I drove past it either on the way to or returning home from work. Its usually deserted looking during the day but at night it comes alive with people ranging in age from mid teens to 40-​somethings partying the night away.
There are usually security guards patrolling the general vicinity and in close proximity to the door. On weekend nights I can hear music blasting away from the interior and I can usually catch a glance of whats happening inside.
Located directly across my be-​hated Albertsons and down the way from the almighty Pecs, A Man’s Bar.
My co-​worker just so happens to be looking for a banquet hall to hold his annual Thanksgiving family get together and I just forwarded this place to him. I also informed him that the neighborhood isnt exactly La Jolla so it would be in his best interest to come see for himself and then make his decision.