Peek-A-Boo Lounge property sells to new owner. Here’s what you can expect
One of only two strip clubs in Manatee County, the Peek-A-Boo Lounge at 5412 14th St. W. went up for sale in February and on June 5 got a new owner, according to property records.
Initially listed for $1.2 million, but assessed at around $375,000, the 2,700-square-foot building constructed in 1965 sold for $550,000 to 5412 14th Street Inc., a company spearheaded by Louis Mendel.
According to records, Mendel has formed several entertainment-related corporations over the years.
In a message via Facebook Messenger, a Peek-A-Boo spokesperson said the lounge will continue to operate as it always has, albeit with improvements to the aging building when it reopens.
“Just want to drop you a quick note to let you know how things are going with the Peek-A-Boo Lounge,” the spokesperson wrote. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the government has closed all bars and nightclubs again. We are hoping that when they are ready to open back up that we will be ready to go.”
Some of the improvements include a new roof, three new air conditioning units, new carpet, new granite, “and lots of other cool additions,” the statement read, such as a new sound and light system.
Interior improvements will include a new 20-foot bar.
The spokesperson said a grand reopening will be announced soon.
Stripping in the age of COVID-19?
Asked how the club would enact policies regarding the wearing of masks and social distancing, Peek-A-Boo Lounge did not respond.
Strip clubs can technically remain open under the executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who last week suspended the sale of alcohol in bars amid surging numbers of COVID-19 across the state.
Manatee County in 1984 adopted strict licensing regulations under its “sexually oriented business code,” and Peek-A-Boo was grandfathered in. In 1999, the county banned full nudity in clubs.
About eight years ago, the county began to change its land codes making the operation of strip clubs even more restrictive, according to a lawsuit filed by Da Vinci’s Club that would later include Peek-A-Boo’s former owner.
Da Vinci’s Club, the county’s only other strip club at 205 Cortez Road, declared the county’s land zone re-designations, in combination with its ordinances, as unconstitutional to free speech. The suit against the county stalled, but was reopened last year.
A hearing was scheduled in April, but was canceled amid the pandemic and has not yet been rescheduled.
Da Vinci’s also did not respond to questions regarding plans to protect dancers and customers.
Rumors circulated several weeks ago that a landlord-tenant dispute was leading to the imminent closure of the business. Da Vinci’s also didn’t respond for clarification, but the landlord denied any such dispute existed.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 11:51 AM.