Charley B’s, Club Xscape owners seek to keep licenses

ALBANY, Ga. — The owners of two popular Albany nightclubs said their businesses may have been singled out for scrutiny by city officials after hearings Monday morning to determine whether the clubs’ alcohol licenses should be renewed.

Frankie Tillman, who has owned and operated Charley B’s Sports Bar & Grill for the past 18 years, and Tim Shelton, who changed the name of his 12-year-old business to Club Xscape five years ago, said that the issues discussed during hearings at the Government Center were the kinds of issues that are typical of all such establishments in the city.

“(Tillman) has owned this establishment for more than 18 years, and this is the first time something like this has come up,” Tillman’s attorney, Jay Brimberry, said after the hearing. “There have been rapes, robberies and even some killings at other places, and all they’ve brought against us are two fights and a handful of open container complaints that took place in the parking lot.

“There’s never been a major incident here that would warrant this action.”

Shelton, meanwhile, contends the commission was bowing to outside political pressure in going after his alcohol license.

“My business conflicts with some of the other businesses around here, and they’re going after me,” he said. “The things that I’ve been accused of doing (specifically, allowing persons under 21 to attend events at the club) are the things that Bo Henry and Lane Rosen (co-owners of the downtown State Theatre) are doing. If I’m not able to do it, they shouldn’t be able to do it.

“The media have helped (other business owners) try and gain a monopoly.”

City Attorney Nathan Davis, who compiled evidence and conducted the city’s cases against Charley B’s and Club Xscape