Pompeii may not be erupting just yet.
The 3133 E. Tremont Avenue establishment, Pompeii Lounge, has officially appealed a notice of intent to revoke its assembly permit for having built contrary to the plans on file with the Department of Buildings when they opened about a year ago.
After mounting pressure from the community, the DOB issued a letter of their intent to revoke Pompeii’s assembly permit if their concerns were not addressed, limiting the amount of people who could be inside to just 75. Presently, the assembly permit allows for occupancy of approximately 180 people.
On July 19, the club was found to be operating contrary to the occupancy permit, with an illegal cabaret. DOB had subsequently audited the floor plan of the lounge and bar and issued the letter on Thursday, September 9.
According to DOB spokeswoman Ryan Fitzgibbon, the club owners, listed on documents as 3131 Enterprises, have met with DOB officials to remedy any concerns and keep the assembly permit.
“Last week they made an appointment with us to address those issues, so their permit has not been revoked,” Fitzgibbon said. “We raised objections and they have to address them.”
Senator Jeff Klein reiterated that Pompeii is being monitored by the State Liquor Authority, which has been looking for violations. He believes that the club’s owners are simply trying to protect themselves.
Klein is working with both the SLA and the 45th Precinct on making sure that Pompeii is not the nuisance to the community it has been over the past few months, with residents complaining about a number of violent incidents near the club, noise complaints, and quality-of-life issues.
“I am optimistic that we are going to be able to stop them from being a nightclub,” Klein said. “I think that by taking away the assembly permit, which is something that is done by the City, the SLA will take a second look at the liquor license.”
Sources in the community have indicated that Pompeii’s patrons and management have been quieter lately, but some believe that this is just because they know that they are being watched by the police, city and state agencies, and the community.
Andrew Chirico, of the Waterbury LaSalle Community Organization, said that the operators of Pompeii generated ill will from the beginning. He believes that since the establishment has all the traits of a nightclub, and is in a residential community, it may need to be shut down.
“The reputation Pompeii made for itself quickly was a bad reputation,” Chirico said. “It is good that the city agencies have taken them seriously, and if they have to close them down, they have to close them down. It’s clear that they are operating as a nightclub. This is a residential area, and they have been warned, have had discussions with elected officials and made promises.
“But they have not changed.”
