After months of duking it out with the Johns Creek City Council, a small music venue has announced that it will be shutting its doors for good.
According to 37 Main Rock and Roll Cafe's Facebook page, they are hoping to continue operating, but in a different city.
The decision to leave comes after the adoption of a new noise ordinance in the city. The ordinance prohibits "plainly audible" amplified sound from businesses from spilling onto residential property late at night. It's an issue that has pitted 37 Main and its neighbors in the Medlock Bridge subdivision against each other for the past two years.
“Thank you for all of the support we’ve received throughout this battle with the City of Johns Creek,” reads a July 3o post on the 37 Main Johns Creek Facebook page. “We would love to spread light on the situation, so this does not happen to anyone else. We encourage you to keep politely exercising your First Amendment and let the city of Johns Creek know how upset you are that they closed 37 Main.”
The city disputes the claim that they forced the business out of town. Jeff Breslau, the communications director for the City of Johns Creek, said it was the city’s duty to balance the rights of the business with the needs of residents. After dozens of complaints from residents and six violations of the current nuisance ordinance, the city felt it had exhausted its options.
“Johns Creek has a long history of businesses that have enjoyed success in our city, including those that provide entertainment,” Breslau said in an emailed statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The City is confident that it did everything reasonably possible over the past two years to help 37 Main overcome a number of its challenges so it could remain in Johns Creek.”
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