Fresno's Crossroads nightclub is going out of business

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Crossroads Bar and Grill is on its way out of business. Police say the liquor license was revoked after several problems, including a murder at the bar.

The bar is at Cedar and Shields and has been a popular hangout spot in Central Fresno. Starting Monday, the owners cannot serve alcohol -- and now -- the business is closing.

The general manager says 30 people who work here will be out of a job. But Fresno police, say the bar has had plenty of warnings and it has continued to be a problematic place.

Refrigerators and heavy equipment were being hauled out of the Crossroads Bar and Grill Thursday morning, as owners prepare to close and comply with the alcohol license suspension effective Monday.

Officials at the alcoholic beverage control office say since the beginning of last year, the bar has had six violations that have resulted in serious injuries and police calls.

Christine Weldon explained, "All of them have resulted in either emergency medical service treatment or hospital treatment, so we just got to the point where they were escalating to be very violent, so the department had no choice but to revoke the license."

In March, a shooting inside the bar ended in the death of Janee Tatum. Her husband, Herman was also shot but survived.

Weeks earlier, police say surveillance video showed two innocent victims being attacked by gang members when a fight that began inside was taken outside the bar.

The police chief says too often his officers were getting called away from emergency calls to respond to bar brawls at Crossroads.

Chief Jerry Dyer explained, "When they close their doors obviously that's going to be an improvement for us as far as policing in that area and we will see some further reductions in criminal activity for that particular area."

The current owners have the option of selling the license to a new owner within a year. But the new business must be outside the city of Fresno. If it's not sold, the license is permanently revoked.

The Crossroads owners, who are operating as Goodtime Guys Incorporated, are not banned from applying for a new liquor license at any future businesses they may open, but their past will be taken into consideration.

Weldon added, "They will always be able to apply, anyone can apply, whether they qualify or not- so we really look at the circumstances when they apply."

The general manager says some of the fights out here were caused by homeless people in the area and he feels the club was unfairly targeted.