Contentious bar’s future uncertain

MASON CITY — The future of a bar that has been the subject of City Council and police scrutiny is unclear.

Alley Katz bar is not closing, owner Kathy Hebel said Monday.

“I’m just taking a vacation. I may open up again this weekend or next week,” she said.

However the bar is listed for sale on North Iowa Realty (nirealty.com) and Hildebrand Real Estate (hildebrandrealestate.com).

The business is listed for sale through real estate agent Tim Latham for $329,000 and the property is described as “your chance to own your own bar/lounge/restaurant.”

The listing also says, “Owner will also lease out bar or restaurant.”

Asked about reports the bar is for sale, Hebel said, “Everything’s always for sale, you know that. And I might lease out the bar or the kitchen. We’ll see what happens.”

In the meantime she said, she’s giving people something to talk about — “and I’m getting a lot of free publicity.”

The city has threatened to not renew the liquor license of the bar at 1341 N. Federal Ave. if efforts are not made to curtail police calls to the establishment.

Hebel received a letter of warning from City Administrator Brent Trout last week on recommendation of Police Chief Mike Lashbrook and with approval of the City Council on July 16.

At that meeting, Hebel told city officials she has done everything police have asked her to do, including putting in a new security light, security cameras, hiring more bouncers, closing earlier and banning some customers.

Police say there have been 60 calls to the bar since it opened 15 months ago, but Hebel said the police are harassing her and she disputes the validity of the 60 calls.

Hebel said the constant presence of police around her bar has hurt her business.

Hebel said she is considering getting videos of the police harassment and has not ruled out suing the city.