Local News in Brief : Chippendales Will Close

Chippendales, a Westside nightclub featuring male exotic dancers, will lose its fire permit on Aug. 4, forcing it to close its doors, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said Tuesday.

The permit revocation results from “a long series” of violations of the club’s occupancy limit, said Battalion Chief Dean Cathey. He estimated that Chippendales, with an occupancy limit of 299, has been cited for overcrowding 20 times in the past several years.

Cathey said the club had been fined a total of $14,350 for overcrowding. Without a fire permit, he said, the club “will not be able to operate in the city of Los Angeles.”

Attorneys for the club said in a press release that they will appeal. But club owner Steve Banerjee suggested another course of action.

“Maybe they’re doing me a favor because my place is really small,” Banerjee said. “Maybe it’s time for us to move on to a bigger, better place . . . right outside of Los Angeles city.”