Monrovia : Disco Owner Drops Appeal

Esther Wong, owner of Madame Wong’s West in Santa Monica, has given up efforts to relocate her disco to the Old Town Music Hall at 120 E. Lemon St.

Wong was scheduled to appear before the City Council on Tuesday to appeal the Planning Commission’s denial of a permit to relocate her club. She said she wanted to move to Monrovia because she would own, rather than rent, the building. She gave up because of strong opposition from the Monrovia Police Department.

The Planning Commission turned down her request on the grounds that the parking would be inadequate for the estimated 300 to 400 patrons a night that her club would attract, especially since there is another nightclub in the area.

Lt. Robert Page of the Police Department said the department did not object to the establishment itself but was concerned about the crowd that would congregate outside. He said the Police Department in Santa Monica, where the club has been located for eight years, reported noise, traffic, narcotics trafficking and vandalism in the area of the club.