Athena owners appeal license revocations

COLUMBIA — The owners of Athena night club appealed the revocation of their business licenses by the Columbia Business License Office on Wednesday.

On May 27, the license office notified owners Daniel Veros and Rashid Kikhia of the revocation of the licenses for Athena night club, New York Famous Pizza and Nikai Grill, all located at 1101 Locust St.

Business license office administrator Janice Finley said the action was taken as a result of repeated violent incidents at the night club, which violate a city ordinance that bars license holders from conducting “business in an unlawful manner, or in such a manner as to constitute a breach of the peace, or to constitute a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the public.”

According to a letter written by their attorney, Bogdan A. Susan, and dated Wednesday, the owners have appealed the revocation.

Under city ordinance 13-31, the city has 21 days to schedule a hearing on the licenses and 10 days thereafter to notify the owners of the decision.

If the license is revoked at the hearing, Kikhia and Veros can appeal in the 13th Circuit Court, Finley said.

Kikhia and Veros couldn’t be reached for comment. Employees of the restaurant had gathered outside it Wednesday, looking for the owners. In response to a reporter’s question about how to get in touch with the owners, one said, “Good luck.”

Since the club opened in 2004, police have been called often to the business, specifically in response to reports of violence.

Last February, owners met with city officials to discuss problems with the club, according to a report submitted to City Council.

On January 27, former MU basketball player Stefhon Hannah’s jaw was broken in a fight also involving MU guard Jason Horton. An employee of the restaurant was injured in the fight.

The night club closed in March, but the restaurant continued to operate.

On May 18, one man was injured in a shooting outside the restaurant, and three people were arrested by Columbia Police. One man was treated at University Hospital for gunshot wounds, according to a news release from the Columbia Police.