With a Hail Mary pass into hostile territory the operator of Ma MillerB次元官网网址檚 Pub in Langford is turning to strippers for salvation.

B次元官网网址淏asically IB次元官网网址檓 in survival mode right now,B次元官网网址� said Dale Stephenson, who signed a four-year lease to run the pub about 18 months ago.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all or nothing now.B次元官网网址�

The pubB次元官网网址檚 liquor licence lists Tirso Holdings Ltd. as the owner (Tony Piga is named on the ), with a third party operating the pub. The current zoning allows Stephenson to bring in exotic entertainment without having to go to the municipality.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been a straight and open book, as far as why IB次元官网网址檓 doing this,B次元官网网址� said Stephenson, who grew up in the neighbourhood and admits this is his last stab at making a go of it before he gives up on the pub.

B次元官网网址淢y main reason (for turning to exotic dancers) is to bring in new clientele.B次元官网网址�

Stephenson has pegged June 20 as the first day the pub will offer exotic entertainment. He expects a diverse crowd, ranging from construction workers to lawyers. He also thinks women will make up a larger percentage of customers than some might think. And while that may be the case, a strip club in the middle of a residential neighbourhood isnB次元官网网址檛 sitting well with some Langford residents.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been hearing from the neighbourhood,B次元官网网址� . B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e very concerned.B次元官网网址�

The change in use caught council off guard, she admits. However, even if council were to rezone the property, its existing use would continue to be permitted as long as it remained a pub.

B次元官网网址淏asically, council would not approve this if this was a zoning that was coming in today,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut, having said that, councilB次元官网网址檚 hands are tied at this point.B次元官网网址�

Ma MillerB次元官网网址檚 is located at 2903 Sooke Lake Rd., across the street from Goldstream Park campground in B次元官网网址渁 beautiful setting,B次元官网网址� Szpak said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 in an established neighbourhood with a school only two block away,B次元官网网址� she said, adding itB次元官网网址檚 a far cry from the type of area normally associated with a strip club. B次元官网网址淗ow is this OK? ItB次元官网网址檚 not.B次元官网网址�

One of the biggest concerns council has heard is that illegal activities such as drug dealing will follow in the wake of the change. B次元官网网址淥f course, we have the RCMP that are much more aware of this now,B次元官网网址� said Szpak, chair of the protective services committee. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 face it, when you have a strip club going in youB次元官网网址檙e going to think the worst.B次元官网网址�

Stephenson, who also owns an air conditioning installation company, dismisses concerns about crime. HeB次元官网网址檚 brought in experienced staff and added security to keep illegal activity away from the property.

Those costs come with the territory when operating a pub that offers exotic dancers. And those costs are one of the reasons an established strip club operator says he would think twice before going into the business now.

Wally Meng, the owner of the in Saanich, said he wishes Ma MillerB次元官网网址檚 well but isnB次元官网网址檛 sure getting into the business is the best bet for a last ditch attempt at making money.

B次元官网网址淲e feel that the industry is down quite a bit,B次元官网网址� Meng said, noting it can be expensive to convert a pub into a show lounge. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know if theyB次元官网网址檒l be able to achieve what they want.B次元官网网址�

One of only two strip bars in Greater Victoria (Ma MillerB次元官网网址檚 will make it three), Meng said itB次元官网网址檚 a struggle just to keep business.

While there are no plans to change his operation at this time, Meng said he thinks the future lies in neighbourhood customers and, especially, food sales.

B次元官网网址淚f people can solve the transportation issue, I think they can survive many years.B次元官网网址�

However, for residents living near Ma MillerB次元官网网址檚, the idea of exotic dancers in their neighbourhood has left them shaking their heads.

B次元官网网址淎s far as strippers go, itB次元官网网址檚 just the wrong place,B次元官网网址� said Terry Harkins, a longtime resident of the area and a former employee at the pub. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the valley. ItB次元官网网址檚 a lot of families and theyB次元官网网址檙e all really friendly.B次元官网网址�

Another neighbour, who asked that his name be withheld, said the pubB次元官网网址檚 management has alienated locals who were once the main clientele.

B次元官网网址淚t used to be a quiet place. We all went there for a drink in the afternoon,B次元官网网址� said the 74-year-old, noting the pub seems to be aiming for a younger crowd looking for a party. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think many people are impressed.B次元官网网址�

For his part, Stephenson said he canB次元官网网址檛 continue to lose money just to please the locals.

B次元官网网址淲hen I took it over, it was an old dumpy bar,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 put a bunch of money into it and then the drink driving laws came in and from there (business) just dried up.B次元官网网址�

He said he tried to focus on people within walking distance and he even offers a shuttle to provide a safe ride to patrons from as far away as View Royal.

But the bus has been underutilized and the locals who did patronize the bar simply didnB次元官网网址檛 spend enough.

B次元官网网址淭hey can keep doing what theyB次元官网网址檝e been doing for the past year and keep driving by it,B次元官网网址� a defiant Stephenson said. B次元官网网址淏asically the community is going to have to get used to it. I gave them an opportunity to support my business and they did not.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com