BEVERLY — Even in the quiet confines of the library, the notorious goings-on at the Press Box was the topic of conversation last night.
Managers of the Park Street bar called a meeting with their neighbors from the Depot Square condominiums in an attempt to quell the rising tide of complaints against the troubled bar. Only seven residents showed up, and most seemed skeptical, but the two Press Box managers said they have raised beer prices, lowered the music, scaled back the disc jockey's hours, moved up last call and adopted a "zero-tolerance" policy against troublemakers.
"We have 25 employees. We don't want to have to close down. We don't want to lose our jobs," assistant manager Michael Wilson said.
The promised changes come after the city's Licensing Board suspended the bar's liquor license for six days and is considering moving its closing time from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. Police say they have responded to 122 calls at the bar this year.
The building was also almost shut down after city inspectors found faulty wiring that they say could have caused a tragic fire. The building includes a rooming house with 30 rooms above the bar. The city's building inspector said this week those problems have been fixed.
Last night's meeting was run by Wilson and bar manager Michelle McGilloway. Some residents were upset that the man who has owned the bar for 33 years, Baylus Baum, didn't show up. They were also upset that Baum didn't stick to his promise made at last month's Licensing Board meeting to eliminate the disc jockey. The disc jockey was cut back but will still work Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Wilson and McGilloway said Baum is tired of the troubler. He now wants to fix the problems so that he can sell the bar.
"He's worn out from all this," McGilloway said.
Wilson said the bar has raised the price of beer 25 cents, to $2, and will increase it more in an attempt to cut down on the problems. But McGilloway said the bar doesn't want to price out its "working-class clientele."
"The majority of our customers make $8 an hour," she said.
Beverly police Capt. Alan Petersen and Ward 4 City Councilor Kevin Hobin attended the meeting. Petersen said he hoped the Press Box will be willing to work with neighbors in the future, not just when it is facing disciplinary action from the licensing board.
Wilson and McGilloway gave residents a handout with their cell phone numbers and said they can call them at any time. They also promised to hold more meetings.
Syrian Boy Speaks Out, Survives Family Massacre
Judge Tells John Edwards Jury: Keep Deliberating
House Rejects Sex-selection Abortion Ban
Bush, Obama on Stage Together Share Laughs
SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth
Warming Gas Levels Hit 'Troubling Milestone'
Youngest-ever Speller Disappointed by Mistake
2 American Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt
Chen Guangcheng: 'Historic Transition' in China
New York City Seeks Big Drink Ban
Los Angeles Bans Plastic Grocery Bags
Raw Video: SpaceX Dragon Leaves Space Station
Police: Gunman Kills 5, Self in Seattle
Experts: Americans Must Prepare for Storm Season
Forest Fire Becomes New Mexico's Largest Ever
Montreal Police: Mailed Body Parts From Same Man
Facebook Expands Campus As Stock Shrinks
