Stabbing haunts Club Shadows

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

A man was stabbed outside of Club Shadows, the embattled Fourth Avenue nightclub, on Aug. 10, police said.

The victim told cops that he was standing alone when two unfamiliar men approached him at 3 am. At some point, an argument began and one of the men pulled a knife and stabbed the 24-year-old in the chest.

The thugs fled, and the wounded club-hopper was treated and released at Maimonides Medical Center in nearby Borough Park.

The violent incident at the doorstep of the controversial club comes after a June 5 fight at the establishment — and both incidents could damage the bar’s chance of retaining its liquor license amid ongoing negotiations with the State Liquor Authority over other charges.

“Any time the police have to be called and there is violence, the board takes it very seriously,” said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the State Liquor Authority. “A business with a liquor license is expected to maintain control over its property.”

The June 5 fight occurred as Shadows owners were trying to settle earlier SLA charges — including a serious count of not having a proper liquor license.

The latest charges — stemming from the violent incidents — are separate matters, which mean two more trials, Crowley said.

Club Shadows, which is between 90th and 91st streets, got on the community radar screen last November, when a sign featuring the silhouette of a curvy woman was installed. The sign also promised “exotic dancers” at the Nov. 30 opening.

The strippers never materialized, but the troubles were only beginning.

Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) brought SLA inspectors to the opening, and the agency hit Club Shadows with the four original violations.

Shadows lawyer William Spanakos could not be reached for comment.


©2007 The Brooklyn Paper