Jacksonville, AL – On Monday, February 28, 2022, the Jacksonville City Council unanimously voted to revoke the license of JMK, LLC., doing business as XHale Hookah Lounge for violations of city ordinances. This is only a temporary remedy to stop, what the city believes, is a continuous and potentially dangerous situation coming out of the XHale Hookah Lounge.
Jacksonville Police Chief, Marcus Wood, spoke with the Calhoun County Journal about some of the problems coming from the lounge. “We have had a lot of dangerous traffic problems along the highway due to people trying to park. They will often stop on the highway and attempt to parallel park which can cause potential accidents.” A few weeks ago, the Jacksonville Police Department received a noise complaint coming from the XHale Hookah Lounge. Chief Wood stated “When our officers approached the front door to establish contact, they closed and locked the door. We told them we wanted to do a bar check, but they still refused to allow officers inside.” In order to remain in compliance with the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC), business must allow ABC members and law enforcement inspect the premises at any time. ABC Administrative Code, Title 20 states “(1) Any ABC Board licensee and/or any person applying initially for an ABC Board license, by virtue of holding such license or making such application does agree, invite, consent, and authorize personnel of the ABC Board, as well as commissioned law enforcement officers having proper jurisdiction, at any time, to enter and search the premises, observe the operation, and otherwise enforce state laws, and rules and regulations of the ABC Board in or about the premises, without a warrant, including not only the licensed premises but any building owned or occupied by the licensee in connection therewith, adjoining, or adjacent thereto, whether or not connected or used by the licensee as a private dwelling.”
The Jacksonville Police Department then put together a special detail to monitor the activities of the business. They were able to identify multiple issues such as loud music, illegal parking, and other potential violations. The Police Department contacted the ABC and together they returned to the XHale Hookah Lounge to conduct a site inspection. Once they were granted entry the patrons began to exit the building and leave the property. Officers on scene were able to count a minimum of 254 people leave the building. Chief Wood noted that the building was only approved for an occupancy level up to a maximum of 94. “This could lead to a dangerous situation in an emergency where people need to get out of the building quickly.”
In November 2021, Manual Santana, owner of XHale Hookah Lounge, requested to speak with the City Council during his application approval process. He advised the Council that this was not going to be a vape shop and the hours of operation would be 10:00 pm until 2:00 pm. The city council tabled the discussion and later set a special session on November 24 to further discuss the approval. During the special session XHale Hookah Lounge was unanimously approved.
Laura Copeland, Jacksonville Finance Manager, said that when she initially met with Santana during the business license application process, she was very clear about the rules for Jacksonville, as she is with all businesses that sell alcohol. She stated, “You need to understand that if you do not stay on the straight and narrow and follow the rules and regulations of the city, county, and ABC then this council will, not may, will revoke your license.”
When the Chief identified multiple violations from this business, he requested that the City Council consider revoking the business license. He said “We are very pro-business in Jacksonville and will stay that way, but when a business becomes unsafe or a concern to the community as a whole; we will do what we can to correct it. Chief Wood also said that “We are a small community without a lot of violent crime. We will continue to work hard to remain that way and keep the City of Jacksonville safe.”
