Petition created to close University District bar citing violent incidents; Owner responds

A petition has been created attempting to shut down a Columbus pub deemed to be a public nuisance by some.

“I’m a resident of the So Hud neighborhood living close to Jack’s Corner Pub, which is located at 2480 Summit St. In my time living in this neighborhood I have noticed an extreme and sudden uptick in violence, recklessness, obnoxiously loud music and shouting, and, rather surprisingly, gunshots all occurring outside of Jack’s Corner Pub at nighttime,” the petition reads.

The Change.org petition recounted an incident from March 31 of this year, with the author stating they witnessed a gunfight spill out into Summit Street where 25-30 shots were reportedly exchanged.

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The petition cites a perceived lack of action on the part of the pub to curtail this violence.

“It is precisely due to this lack of action on the bar’s owners’ part that we are petitioning to close this bar. It is only a matter of time before the next shooting seriously injures or kills someone,” the petition reads.

According to Jack’s Corner Pub owner Roy (who asked to have his last name omitted), however, the bar’s hours have been changed, specifically to curtail similar incidents. He said that, although Jack’s signage doesn’t reflect this yet, the bar has been closing at 1 a.m. instead of its normal closing time at 2:30 a.m.

“We did this last summer when things around the city got bad too, and we’ll cut the hours back even more if we have to,” he said. 

The bar owner said that he believes the individuals behind the incidents in the petition are not bar regular bar patrons. He also mentioned he plans to install new cameras around the perimeter of the building. He said Jack’s had cameras at one point, but they’ve all been either broken or stolen. He also discussed the possibility of adding a security guard.

“I’ve been here for close to 15 years, and I don’t want to be a nuisance to the community. I certainly don’t want anybody hurt or killed.” He said. “I think there’s a way we can work everything out.”

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