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South Side bar closes for good after District Attorney stops their liquor sales

The District Attorney ordered the bar to stop liquor sales after patrons of their establishment were involved in an exchange of gunfire nearby.

South Side bar closes for good after District Attorney stops their liquor sales

The District Attorney ordered the bar to stop liquor sales after patrons of their establishment were involved in an exchange of gunfire nearby.

DECISION. MIKE? >> THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAID HE WAS READY TO LABEL THE BAR A NUISANCE, BUT THAT DIDN’T NEED TO HAPPEN. THE OWNERS DECIDED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS PERMANENTLY. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO MAKE THE AMBER BAR AND GRILL A SAFER PLACE ON PITTSBURGH’S SOUTH SIDE HAD FAILED. PEOPLE WERE OBSERVED ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE ARE INVOLVED IN AN EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF OFFICERS AND POLICE CARS RIGHT OUTSIDE AT THE TIME. HE SAID HE JUST CAN’T MAKE THAT PLACE SAFE. >> IT’S A HISTORY AND PART OF IT IS YOU ARE SO FAR OFF CARSON STREET, PLACES LIKE THAT, I DON’T KNOW. I THINK THAT COMPLICATED THINGS. >> THE BAR IS SURROUNDED BY RESIDENTIAL HOMES, SO ALL LIQUOR SALES WERE ORDERED TO STOP. A STATEMENT WAS RELEASED SAYING UNFORTUNATELY CONDITIONS ON THE SOUTH SIDE HAVE MADE OPERATING A NIGHTTIME BUSINESS EXTREME LEAD DIFFICULT. HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE SAFETY OF OUR GUESTS AND STAFF AS A PRIORITY. AFTER CONSULTING WITH THEIR STAFF, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, LOCAL AND STATE POLICE, WE HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE FOR GOOD.
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South Side bar closes for good after District Attorney stops their liquor sales

The District Attorney ordered the bar to stop liquor sales after patrons of their establishment were involved in an exchange of gunfire nearby.

An exchange of gunfire has led one establishment on Pittsburgh’s South Side to close for good. The Allegheny County District Attorney ordered the bar to stop all liquor sales the day after the Sept. 26 shooting. A few days ago, the District Attorney sent a letter to the Pittsburgh City Council President addressing the incident and actions taken. In the letter, District Attorney Stephen Zappala said the establishment is a public nuisance, which cannot be made safe. "That particular evening there were two police cars right outside this bar, they’re both occupied with police officers and nonetheless a gun battle took place," District Attorney Stephen Zappala told Pittsburgh's Action News 4. "There is nothing the Liquor Control Enforcement Bureau (LCE) or Nuisance Bar Task Force has asked these guys to do that they haven’t done. It’s just you can’t make that place safe."Zappala added that because the bar was deemed unsafe, he ordered them to stop all liquor sales at the establishment. EMBR sits along 18th Street on Pittsburgh's South Side, a few blocks off of E. Carson Street."The difference between that bar and the bars on Carson Street, you’re actually a commercial piece of property that’s surrounded by residential units so you’ve affected a lot of people’s lives," said Zappala. A co-owner of EMBR released this statement to Pittsburgh's Action News 4:"It has been over 2 years since the idea of Embr, a home for everyone, where community is not just a word for inclusion, but a place that truly included all."This past summer, operating within the nighttime space has been especially challenging. In spite of our amazing staff ensuring the safety of everyone inside, and in-front of the building, going above and beyond to not only maintain a citation free bar, but keeping everyone safe as well. "Unfortunately conditions on the south-side have made operating a nighttime business extremely difficult. We have always taken the safety of our guests and staff as a priority. After consulting with our staff, the district attorneys office, local and state police, we have decided to close for good. "We hope the spirit of unity and inclusiveness lives on. We are accessing options for opening in other parts of the city, but nothing as of yet. "We truly appreciate the amazing work that our local police, the state police, Mayor Gainey and District Attorney Zappala have been doing to improve conditions and safety to make a community for everyone, finding real solutions."

An exchange of gunfire has led one establishment on Pittsburgh’s South Side to close for good.

The Allegheny County District Attorney ordered the bar to stop all liquor sales the day after the Sept. 26 shooting.

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A few days ago, the District Attorney sent a letter to the Pittsburgh City Council President addressing the incident and actions taken. In the letter, District Attorney Stephen Zappala said the establishment is a public nuisance, which cannot be made safe.

"That particular evening there were two police cars right outside this bar, they’re both occupied with police officers and nonetheless a gun battle took place," District Attorney Stephen Zappala told Pittsburgh's Action News 4. "There is nothing the Liquor Control Enforcement Bureau (LCE) or Nuisance Bar Task Force has asked these guys to do that they haven’t done. It’s just you can’t make that place safe."

Zappala added that because the bar was deemed unsafe, he ordered them to stop all liquor sales at the establishment.

EMBR sits along 18th Street on Pittsburgh's South Side, a few blocks off of E. Carson Street.

"The difference between that bar and the bars on Carson Street, you’re actually a commercial piece of property that’s surrounded by residential units so you’ve affected a lot of people’s lives," said Zappala.

A co-owner of EMBR released this statement to Pittsburgh's Action News 4:

"It has been over 2 years since the idea of Embr, a home for everyone, where community is not just a word for inclusion, but a place that truly included all.

"This past summer, operating within the nighttime space has been especially challenging. In spite of our amazing staff ensuring the safety of everyone inside, and in-front of the building, going above and beyond to not only maintain a citation free bar, but keeping everyone safe as well.

"Unfortunately conditions on the south-side have made operating a nighttime business extremely difficult. We have always taken the safety of our guests and staff as a priority. After consulting with our staff, the district attorneys office, local and state police, we have decided to close for good.

"We hope the spirit of unity and inclusiveness lives on. We are accessing options for opening in other parts of the city, but nothing as of yet.

"We truly appreciate the amazing work that our local police, the state police, Mayor Gainey and District Attorney Zappala have been doing to improve conditions and safety to make a community for everyone, finding real solutions."