Pure Gold closes, but owner may be back

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NICOLLET -- Nicollet has finally seen the last of the Pure Gold strip club.

But it may not have seen the last of its owner, Dave Benzinger.

Benzinger confirmed Thursday night that the club has shut its doors for good.

Benzinger also said he plans to have a new adult-oriented business in a different part of Nicollet.

Benzinger said his next venture is definitely going to be an adult-oriented business and his likely new home will be one of Nicollet's three bars, which he says are all up for sale.

But in the meantime, the doors of the plain, white former pontoon factory that housed one of the most controversial issues in this town and in the state, remain locked shut. Its banners and neon signs were taken down and moved out with much of the club's furniture and fixtures Thursday afternoon.

Down the street at the Cabin Bar, Amy Wagner and Jane Thompson were tending the bar. Thompson said there still isn't a day that goes by where someone doesn't come in and ask about Benzinger's club.

"I thought they should stay open. We need the business in Nicollet," she said. "A lot of locals didn't like it and a lot of out-of-town people didn't like it."

Wagner said the Cabin Bar has seen smaller crowds than when the Pure Gold was still operating earlier this week.

But for many Nicollet residents and officials, the closing will bring a much-needed respite from the issue. Nicollet City Administrator Dan Wietecha said earlier in the week that he's seen positive responses from people who have heard about the rumored closing.

A middle aged woman from Mankato, who refused to identify herself, said, "It's about time. It's trash" upon learning that the club had permanently closed. Many other Nicollet residents refused to comment.

It took Nicollet city officials six months to put together an adult-use ordinance that forced Pure Gold -- formerly known as The Mirage -- to tone down its activities. The club clothed its formerly nude dancers, unplugged its cigarette machine and cut dancer contact with patrons in order to comply with the ordinance. It also admitted patrons of all ages.

Benzinger said earlier last week that he planned to seek a legal injunction to stop the city's ordinance, but said Thursday night that he thought getting a different location for his next venture would be a better idea.

He said he plans to have another business in Nicollet "in the near future" and wants to get a license to serve liquor this next time around.

"We just thought of something better to do," Benzinger explained when asked why the club closed so suddenly.