Shooting: Documents show Albany bar was first cited by city in June 2020

Subrina Dhammi

NewsChannel 13 obtained documents Wednesday, showing the business called The Lounge has been ordered to shut down after seven people were shot Saturday night, and one of them died.

The documents show the city first cited 117 North Lake Avenue in Albany in June of 2020, saying the owner did not have the proper permit to operate a club there.

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The building was the scene of a shootout this past weekend. Seven people shot. Alexander Bolton, 29, from New Bedford, Massachusetts was killed.

Ten people are facing weapons charges in connection with that shooting.

After that violence just days ago, the city hit that location known as The Lounge with five more violations and a cease and desist order saying the building is unsafe due to reasons like insect infestation and repairs needed to both the inside and outside of the building.

One mile away, the owner of Cafe Hollywood on Lark Street is infuriated.

Colin Rost is getting ready to reopen after being forced to shut down by the city back in July.
The city declared a state of emergency, saying there had more than 20 calls involving the business, and a murder police claim started as a fight at the bar.

Rost says that shooting happened blocks away from his business.

He says the shutdown has cost him $300,000.

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This new agreement allows Cafe Hollywood to reopen under these rules:

  • No musical entertainment.
  • No more than 75 customers for now.
  • A reentry ban, meaning anyone who leaves can’t go back in for the night.
  • The front patio must remain closed.
    The business must close at midnight for now.

"They said f— you, you’re going to get midnight, and if you know anything like the nightlife in Albany, if you’re forced to close at midnight, you don’t get that 1:00, 2:00 business," said Rost.

The plan is for Cafe Hollywood to reopen October 20.

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The Lounge has until October 22 to make changes and be up to code.

MORE INFORMATION: The Lounge: Cease and desist document 1 | The Lounge: Cease and desist document 2 | Letter from City Hall saying 117 N. Lake Avenue can’t be used