Council conditionally renews CenterFolds Cabaret license pending administrative verification after closed-session review

The Superior Common Council voted July 15 to conditionally renew the city licenses for Cameo Investments 2, LLC, doing business as CenterFolds Cabaret for the license period beginning July 2025 through June 30, 2026, contingent on the licensee demonstrating to the satisfaction of the city attorney and the city clerk that all renewal requirements have been met.

Councilors recessed to closed session on the city's attorney's advice under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(a) and (g) to discuss the licensing matter and potential legal strategy; the council reconvened in open session later in the meeting. On reconvening, Councilor Grama moved to renew the license pending the licensee's satisfactory demonstration to the city attorney and the city clerk; Councilor Sweeney seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

One person spoke in the permitted public-comment period on the motion. Joe Ishens, who identified himself as a resident of Superior and an employee of CenterFolds since mid-June, told the council the staff had completed the 150 required training hours before the prior suspension and asked that the council renew the license so employees could keep their jobs. "We did have the 150 hours in and completed before the liquor license was suspended," Ishens said. He also said staff were willing to make changes and to "go above and beyond" city expectations for operations.

According to the motion, the administration will consider the license renewed once the city attorney and city clerk confirm the licensee has satisfied renewal requirements. The council did not specify additional conditions in public session beyond the requirement to demonstrate compliance to the attorney and clerk.

The council announced no further action on this item at the July 15 meeting and adjourned afterward.