Artists protest Arnaudville bar
By Ken Grissom
St. Martinville — Arnaudville’s artists, once the barbarians at the gate, banded together Tuesday, June 3, to protect the status quo against a businessman with plans to build a barroom in their midst.
At the urging of Councilman Dean Doré, the Parish Council turned down the request of Chris Dodge of Sunset for special dispensation to build an “ice house” or tavern on the outskirts of town just inside the St. Martin Parish line.
Doré acknowledged that Dodge has a good reputation as a businessman in St. Landry Parish, “but the proposed site doesn’t fit.”
Dodge, owner of Dodge’s Ice House on La. 93 between Vatican and Cankton, sought to get around a parish ordinance prohibiting a cocktail lounge within 300 feet of a residence.
He said his establishment is not a “biker bar” although motorcyclists do frequent it. Dodge noted that his proposed second location is just across La. 31 from the site of the old Teche Lounge, long defunct, and just down the street from NuNu’s and Myron’s, both of which sell alcohol, albeit not as a majority of their sales.
Shantelle Champagne, who lives in the single residence standing in Dodge’s way, stood before the council to protest.
“I live right on the side of that property and I have two kids, 14 and 10,” she said. “Loud music, motorcycles, alcohol — all of this will be right on the side of my home. I object because it will not set a good example for my kids.”
Champagne was backed up by a group of artists who, led by Arnaudville native George Marks, created a stir when they began to congregate into what the city now proudly touts as a vibrant artists’ community.
Marks, whose family owns Town Market Centre, including NuNu’s Café and Nightlite, told the council he is objecting to the ice house because it would disturb the tranquility of the neighborhood.
“It would actually help our business but the ends do not justify the means,” Marks said.
Myron Chautin, who own’s a restaurant just down the street, took the opposite tack, suggesting a Dodge’s Ice House in town would be good for the community.
Josh Carlson, a youth minister who uses NuNu’s as a weekly meeting place for teens, opposed the bar as a bad influence.
Councilman Doré brought up an ongoing controversy in Arnaudville over the operation of Harry’s Deli, a bar that has drawn complaints from its neighbors over activities like alleged public urination in its parking lot.
The action of the council upheld its existing ordinance.
Council Chairman Mike Huval explained that NuNu’s and Myron’s are within Arnaudville’s limits and outside the purview of the Parish Council.