WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderControversial nightclub opens

Controversial nightclub opens

By Marissa Alter

ROCKFORD (WREX) - 3780 East State Street has a long history of failures. The site's housed nightclubs like Elixir and Coliceum. Both became frequent stops for Rockford police. But tonight, a new night club tries not to repeat history and show city leaders it's possible to run a safe business at that location.

Just half hour before Tabu's big opening, there's excitement, nerves, and still some work to do.

"We're real anxious to get open, get this weekend behind us, and be able to just move on from there," says Co-owner Jamey Funk.

There's also a lot of pressure. Funk and his partners had to convince Rockford aldermen to give their club a chance. The city council first rejected the proposal based on the site's bad track record and a plea from 10th Ward Alderman Frank Beach. A re-vote on Tabu led to a different outcome.

"We do have pressure on us, but that's good. The second you get too comfortable is the second you make mistakes in this business."

But the city council vote wasn't Tabu's only hiccup along the way. There was a typo on the liquor license. Funk and his partners' names were left off. They didn't realize it until they got to the state building. That meant they barely made tonight's opening.

To get ready, they had to install 13 cameras inside and outside the club and bring on a full security team.

"We were told my the city to have 9 security. We have 15 so we overdid it on the security."

They also made nice with the other businesses along the Miracle Mile, who weren't too happy about what happened with the past clubs there.

"We want to do a lot in the area. It needs some work. We can't just sit back and let everybody else do it. We've got to chip in our part."