Rodman considering buying Josh Slocums

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- “On this site in 1897 nothing happened,” reads a

plaque over the entrance doors to Josh Slocums Restaurant on West Coast

Highway.

But this year, a lot might happen at the seafood joint if one of its

regular customers decides to take charge.

“I’m thinking about it,” said Dennis Rodman, the ex-NBA basketball

star and now cyber-club entrepreneur, as he walked up the stairs to his

neighbor’s house on West Newport Beach’s Ocean Front on Thursday.

“After today, I will have made a decision,” said the city’s infamous

resident, wearing black track suit pants, a white T-shirt and a baseball

cap, his face covered with his signature piercings.

Later Thursday, his entourage quickly tried to tone down Rodman’s

comment.

“He’s looked at it, but he hasn’t made a decision,” said Doug

McAllister, who said he’s worked with Rodman “on a few different

projects.”

“A friend of his owns” the restaurant, McAllister said. “And

[Rodman’s] thinking about coming in on it. But it’s not going to happen

in the next couple of days.”

McAllister added that Rodman would probably not make a decision until

the Super Bowl, which kicks off Sunday.

Kevin Finegold, who operates Josh Slocums, could not be reached for

comment Thursday.

At the restaurant, whiffs of stale alcohol escaped through its

entrance doors, which were secured with a bicycle chain from the inside.

Chairs and tables were stacked against the walls in the waterfront

building. Nearby businessmen said the restaurant remained closed during

weekdays, with large private parties taking over the premises on some

weekend nights.

While Finegold has leased the building for about five years, the

property’s owners said he was trying to get rid of the business.

Finegold “desperately wants to sell the restaurant,” said Ernest

Minney, whose family owns the land and the building.

Minney, whose family operated the restaurant for 20 years, said Josh

Slocums has deteriorated under the new ownership.

“We had beautiful wallpaper and nautical antiques,” Minney said. “You

go in there now and see psychedelic fish. It’s totally weird.”

Rodman’s stay in the city has had its own psychedelic incidents.

Police have had to make a record number of trips to his beachfront house

-- the base of his Internet site -- during parties and have fined him

several thousand dollars for the responses.

He also has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence

of alcohol and for public drunkenness.

Councilwoman Norma Glover, who represents the district that includes

the restaurant, said business owners on Mariner’s Mile expressed concern

about the fate of the restaurant at a meeting Monday.

“They were a little concerned that it was closed down,” Glover said,

adding that she hadn’t heard about Rodman’s possible intentions to take

over.

“I knew that Josh Slocums might be up for sale,” Glover said.

Joseph Minney, another family member who is in charge of the property,

said he didn’t know if Finegold had any plans to sell.

Finegold’s tax certificate expired Nov. 30, according to city

officials. He already faces a late fee of 25% on top of his regular dues.

While not disclosing the exact amount, city officials added that

Finegold’s maximum fine could amount to $553 if he doesn’t pay by April

30.