Moore's owner looks to clear air

Thursday, April 22, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- A Greencastle business owner is hoping to clear the air about a recent controversy at which her bar was the center.

Moore's Bar was set to host a "Girls Gone Wild" event on Wednesday, but cancelled the event amid the concerns of local citizens, clergy and authorities.

Owner Carolyn Hammon said it was, ultimately, potential scrutiny the event would attract that lead her to cancel.

"We were approached by people in authority, that we would be under a magnifying glass that day," Hammond said. "It's like going 56 in a 55 if you're speeding -- they could still site you for a 56.

"I just had the feeling that they would find something that we were doing wrong, even if we tried to keep it squeaky clean," she added.

In spite of the cancellation, Hammond expressed no regrets at planning the event and thought it could have been carried out without incident.

"I was in control of whatever was going to happen," Hammond said. "When I made these plans, it was very clear between me and the person I was talking to that I would be in control of it."

She pointed out the establishment's 65-year history in the same building, and said they had always tried to do things properly and "always tried to be a law-abiding business."

"I never tried to do anything to disgrace anyone," she said.

She also pointed to a recent "Girls Gone Wild" show in Terre Haute at which there was no trouble.

"I wasn't trying to bring people into this town that were going to snatch our girls off the street and make them do things they didn't want," Hammond said.

She also posed the question of why this event had caused such a stir, yet there is no such issue when all-male revues visit local establishments.

"What's the difference?" Hammond asked.

Ultimately, though, she emphasized she reached her decision based on what was best for the long-term viability of the business.

"I didn't want any black marks on my liquor license. Without that, I can't stay in business," Hammond said.

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  • In essence you were blackmailed or coerced into capitulation. Isn't it grand when the government runs your business for you!

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 7:27 AM
  • How sad she was forced to cancel an event that was sure to bring them more revenue than they would normally get in a month. Way to go those of you who stuck your nose into someone else's business. Be Proud of yourselves for bringing down a fine establishment.

    -- Posted by purduegrad on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 8:30 AM
  • It's a bar. There would probably be things happening that are similar with regular Greencastle people. Who cares. If you don't want to be apart of something like that, then don't come and mind your own business!

    -- Posted by tlsb44 on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 9:01 AM
  • I'm GLAD it was cancelled! That kind of crap is just not necessary. Thank you whoever was able to get that turned around but "Girls Gone Wild" in this town was totally absurd. Maybe she thought she could control it but chances are very high that would not have been possible.

    -- Posted by bannerstuff on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 9:46 AM
  • Clearly, "People in Authority" did not approve of this venue in Greencastle. No one said that she could not host the event. No blackmail has happened in this case, no one forced her into anything.

    She simply made a smart business decision. With a capacity of less than 100, the revenue would not be worth the risk. The risk of infraction would be higher during this event than a normal business night, and even higher with Johnny Law watching.

    What about the rest of the community? Anyone think about the public opposition that would have happened? How fun would it have been if 80 "old" people would have filled the bar and ordered water and coffee all night?

    This is simply a case of a small college town that is not ready to be known for hosting such an event. And lets not fool ourselves, this event is an obvious lure to produce sexually charged sleaze on video. It's all done completely legal.

    "People in Authority" represent the majority of voters. They have spoken.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 10:00 AM
  • So bannerstuff and Xgamer, do you oppose the male stripper that frequent Toppers or is this just a target on Moores bar?

    Was it her decision or was she coerced? I, myself am not so sure. The "powers to be" in this town are VERY questionable at best.

    -- Posted by dcsaiht on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 10:31 AM
  • I think its sad that people are attacking Moore's Still. Even after the event was canceled they are still being attacked. If you dont like it then dont watch,attend or read about it. Its just that simple.

    -- Posted by public concern on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 10:38 AM
  • Fine establishment?...(You've got to be kidding.)

    That's kinda like calling Walmart an upscale retailer.

    -- Posted by ProblemTransmission on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 10:39 AM
  • I am very glad that this event was canceled. Ms. Hammond is fooling herself if she thought she could "control" this type of event. The difference in this type of event vs. a male revue is evident. Male revues are sleazy, but they are not porn. I have never attended one, but I don't think men's body parts are completely exposed. Girl's gone wild does expose body parts for the camera. That is porn. There are still alot of people in this town concerned with keeping this a decent community to live in. I applaud those in authority who have stood up for what is right. I have nothing against Moore's Bar as an establishment, but I do have something against the management that would bring that kind of trash program into my home town.

    -- Posted by ursula on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 11:02 AM
  • Much different in Terre Haute. Girls Gone Wild came to the Ballyhoo in TH and we hardly heard anything about it. Personally, I think it is a stupid thing for girls to do but not sure owner should have been pressured to cancel.

    -- Posted by indianamama on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 12:14 PM
  • I am glad that Moore's Bar opted not to play host to this film company. I mean how do these Hollywood people look at themselves in the mirror? It's amazing what some people will do to make a buck. The owner of Moore's made a smart decision to not agree to shill for these folks. At what point is there any shame anymore? At what point do people just stand up and say,"count me out"? Thanks Moore for keeping our town with some family values. I read here that Moore's bar has been going for 65 years. They must be doing something right and this decision is in keeping with good business and good citizenship. This was a fine civic moment. Someone floated an idea. Others responded, and threw in their two cents, and then the original party re-thought the idea and realized it was not right for this particular community even if it would have made a quick dollar. Sounds like a healthy process to me. Thanks again to Moore's.

    -- Posted by sneakers on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 1:15 PM
  • Male strippers are ok but not women? If you have to try to justify a ignorant statement like that by saying that the ladies will pop out a breast,than ur argument is very weak at best.First saying one is ok or better than the other is really wrong.Secondly, behind the big ol door u have to open to go inside,would be women WANTING to do it,men wanting to see and all u have to do is DONT GO IN!I dont have a horse in this race,could care less one way or the other,but find it hilariously sad to hear fools saying one bit of nakedness behind closed doors is different than the other.I also find it funny how fast some will push their morals on others.I wouldnt have any desire to attend the function at Moores but still think if zero laws are broken and everyone who walks past the closed door understands what going on,than it is THEIR CHOICE and my morals shouldnt be at issue.Good morals are the greatest,pushing them on everyone else is not...

    -- Posted by honestyisbestpolicy on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 2:16 PM
  • P.S. I still challenge all of those w/supposed morals that they starve to apply to other people to take your cause to your local school.Why shout from rooftops that adult,legal age women must remain clothed appropriately and adult men of legal age should not see too much skin behind doors u must go thru to see,and refuse to push those morals at ur local middle and high schools.try catching these hoochie minded girls and boys at age 10-18 and help them understand how to respect themselves and their bodies better,BEFORE they are legal adult age. Most hallways in jr high and high schools resemble a Hooters restaurant and no one cares,specially the male dominated admin staffs. You really care about everyones elses morals and business,start at the lowest level and educate,monitor them forward,before they desire to be at a bar,showing skin....

    -- Posted by honestyisbestpolicy on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 2:25 PM
  • honestyisbestpolicy: A very well said comment thank you

    -- Posted by worrieddaddy on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 2:41 PM
  • desaiht, male strippers that tour Toppers aren't pulling national attention. Now that it is brought up, they may collect their own heat about it. You are comparing apples and oranges, yet they are both fruit.

    Personally I'd rather those attractions stay in the bigger cities and leave the small towns for quiet living.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 2:47 PM
  • I have been told that the bar is sold or will be sold by May 1 to a man from the Avon area.

    This talks as if she still will be the owner. Who is correct??????

    -- Posted by bailey2 on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 7:27 PM
  • Glad to read it was cancelled. Control ? Um - no, I don't think so.

    -- Posted by Scripted Spontaneity on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 10:01 PM
  • I'm pretty sure the male revue dancers aren't nude. They call them strippers but they aren't taking much off, they just dance around in thong underwear. GGW can get pretty skank, haven't you people seen it? I didn't think it was a good idea to have that in a place that can only hold about 60-70 people. That probably wouldn't have worked that well. For all the men complaining about the cancellation....you can probably go to toppers or Moores and get a free show from some of the locals anyway:)

    -- Posted by iumcrn on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 12:51 AM
  • Only in Putnam County would such a stink be raised over such a minor thing as an appearance of Girls Gone Wild.

    I also take the majority of my business out of Putnam County because of the people and their old fashioned ways of making a big deal out of nothing and the high prices of everything in Putnam County.

    Xgamer, you have no right to talk.

    I also understand the pressure that Ms Hammond was probably put through. In my opinion the OFFICIALS can put you in a very bad way if they do not agree with you whether you are right or wrong.

    Too many people stick their noses in other peoples business when they have no right to.

    -- Posted by Old Man on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 1:17 AM
  • CARGUYSIX YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH DONT YOU LOVE HOW WE JUST HAD TO MAKE ANOTHER PARKING LOT FOR THE "EMPLOYEES" OF THE COURT HOUSE BUT YET THEY ALL STILL PARK ARROUND THE COURT HOUSE!!!!! SO WHILE WE ARE ALL TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK THERE ALL SITTING IN THIER OFFICES STILL NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THIS COMM. ITS BEEN THE SAME AND WILL NEVER CHANGE!!!!!!! AS FOR MOORE'S YOU GO CAROLYN CAUSE DON'T THINK THAT HALF OF THESE PEOPLE ON HERE HAVE NEVER BEEN TO MOORE'S AND WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WEDNESDAY NIGHT OH THATS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL HYPOCRITES!!!!!! AND YOU MEAN THEY ACTUALLY GAVE YOU AN INTERVEIW THIS TIME INSTEAD OF LYING!!!!!! MOORE'S BAR HAS MORE CLASS THAN ANY OTHER BAR IN PUTNAM COUNTY AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE !!!!!!!

    -- Posted by Angel6019 on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 2:50 AM
  • If Moore's Bar is "class", then there is good reason to take one's buisness out of town. It is what it is... a small town bar, with narrow minded vision, where the smoking ban is still being broken, and more ABC violations occur than Excise can monitor. Personally I would not care if "Dancer's" opened up shop on the square, but Moore's tiny hole in the wall environment and lack of accountability that exists day-to-day does not lend itself to an event like GGW.

    -- Posted by Seagullslim on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 11:37 AM
  • Old Man, you make me laugh. I'll bite, why?

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 12:38 PM
  • Xgamer, I would NOT do that on the internet.

    I will tell you the next time I see you.

    -- Posted by Old Man on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 3:45 AM
  • So they still let you smoke at Moores?

    -- Posted by localman on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 9:09 AM
  • "I just had the feeling that they would find something that we were doing wrong, even if we tried to keep it squeaky clean," she added.

    There is nothing squeaky clean about Girls Gone Wild. That comment is laughable.

    -- Posted by bannerreader on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 11:19 AM
  • neverends:

    FYI the parking lot they "made" for the courthouse employees isn't free. Those who aren't elected officials, already get paid next to nothing. Expecting them to pay a monthly fee to park their cars is ridiculous. I'm sure you wouldn't want to pay an additional monthly fee in these economic times to park your car at your place of employment.

    The parking lot they "made" was already a parking lot before, and many of the courthouse employees parked there when it was free, for years. However, even then it wasn't big enough for all the employees.

    It's not the "people in the courthouse" that aren't doing anything for our community... it's our elected officials with their own personal agendas. If you don't like the way things are, you have the right to vote. I hope you have been, and will continue to exercise your right to vote! I agree things are getting ridiculous around here on a political level.

    honestyisbestpolicy:

    I totally agree! Walking around Relay for life today I saw dozens of teenage girls walking around in what appeared to be shorts? I'm not sure, because as I woman, I have seen "boy cut shorts" in the underwear isle, and these "shorts" the teenagers I saw wearing were just as short!

    Yes administrators need to step in and set boundaries and ENFORCE them... but where are the parents who let their kids dress like this and then leave the house?! Maybe if all the administrators and teachers dressed like teenagers did for a day, it might make the students realize just how ridiculous they look.

    -- Posted by annoyed_citizen on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 11:45 PM
  • Glad to see some things never change. Typing in all CAPS and using little to no punctuation to get your point across does not at all make you sound ignorant. Way to make your point.

    I don't recall the male review being in the paper and publically broadcast. Was it, and if yes, when?

    -- Posted by MsBehaving on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 3:23 PM
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