Cousin Danny's Exotic Haven closes following report
Cousin Danny's Exotic Haven, a West Philadelphia strip club, has closed in the wake of a report in the Inquirer and Daily News detailing violence in the area of the club.
Cousin Danny's Exotic Haven, a West Philadelphia strip club, has closed in the wake of a report in the Inquirer and Daily News detailing violence in the area of the club.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections issued several violations after an inspector tried unsuccessfully to meet with the club's owner over the last two weeks, L&I spokeswoman Karen Guss said.
The March 4 story reported that eight people have been killed since 2009 within two blocks of the club, in the 300 block of South 52nd Street.
Residents of the block and relatives of a man slain outside the club Feb. 17 blamed Cousin Danny's for the violence, but owner Daniel Freeman and his son, Daniel Jr., the manager, said they were victims of a violent city.
The Freemans owe $70,000 in back taxes, according to Guss and city tax records.
Also, Guss said she found no record of the club's having the required licenses and permits. The Freemans insisted that they were operating their business legally.
An L&I inspector called Freeman on March 1 to let him know he would be visiting the club to review his licenses and permits, Guss said.
"Mr. Freeman begged off, claiming that he couldn't make it to Cousin Danny's that day," Guss wrote in an email. "L&I gave him the opportunity to call back to set up an appointment with an inspector."
But Freeman never called. So L&I paid a surprise visit to the club twice on March 5, but it was closed, Guss said.
On March 9, L&I's nuisance unit set up surveillance but the club remained closed, Guss said.
"Enough being enough," L&I issued Cousin Danny's violations for lacking a valid special assembly occupancy license and a food license, Guss said.
Freeman has 35 days to comply, she said.
"These licenses are not just formalities - they are public safety measures," Guss said.
If Freeman does not comply, the department will issue an intent-to-cease-operations notice, she said.
As of last weekend, Cousin Danny's had taken down its sign that hung over the sidewalk on 52nd Street advertising "Live GO-GO GIRLS Daily."
The Freemans did not return calls for comment, but a March 7 posting on the club's Facebook page reads: "New Direction coming soon. ... Change is on its way."
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