Florissant council pauses Plush Lounge liquor renewal after police report, racial-bias allegation; hearing continued to July 28

A Florissant City Council hearing on July 14 produced contentious testimony about safety, enforcement and race before members voted to continue a contested liquor-license renewal for Plush Lounge to July 28.

Florissant Police Captain Catherine DeHart reviewed the department’s records for Plush Lounge (12667 New Halls Ferry Road), describing a string of complaints and incidents since occupancy and licensing in 2022. DeHart cited multiple ordinance and liquor violations, hookah use in violation of business license rules and the Saint Louis County Clean Air Act, reports of large disturbances and possible weapons, assaults, trespassing arrests, parking violations and at least one incident in which investigators said management did not provide requested video footage. DeHart told the council officers estimated roughly 200 patrons at one March 2023 disturbance when posted capacity was about 90 and described a May 25, 2025 response that alleged underage drinking and firearms on the lot.

Plush’s attorney, Jackie Young, said owner Prince (name appears in records and the transcript with multiple spellings) could not attend for medical reasons and asked the council to stay consideration so he could respond in person. Manager Tianna Cashmere disputed several items in the police chronology, said Plush operates as a restaurant and lounge with regular food sales and invited council members and the mayor to visit the establishment. She denied knowledge of many of the incidents listed by police and said staff have cooperated when questioned. Young added that management has since upgraded camera systems to retain recorded footage and that earlier gaps were technical rather than deliberate.

Council members pressed on occupancy and safety. Several members said video and clearer records would help; others said the department’s surveillance and incident counts raised public-safety concerns. Councilman Egan and others read passages of a social-media statement attributed to Plush’s operator that alleged racial targeting by the city; Egan called the statement “very racially charged.” Council members who have worked with other local minority-owned venues pointed to examples where the city assisted businesses, and some urged better cooperation between business owners and police.

After debate the council voted to continue the renewal hearing to July 28 to allow the owner to appear and for follow-up with the police and building/code officials. A separate motion to extend Plush’s temporary liquor license until July 28 failed for lack of a second, meaning the club will not have a liquor license while the matter awaits the next meeting unless an administrative temporary permit is issued.

The council’s next meeting is set for July 28, when members expect to revisit the renewal, additional documentation from police and any evidence the owner brings in person.