...Mirage changes image

By Joe Gerrety and Azura Domschke
Journal and Courier - 8/7/99

The Mirage may be as dry as the Sahara, but managers of the former night club whose liquor license renewal was denied two weeks ago are hoping the fun can continue.

The establishment at 3215 S. 18th St. debuted Friday as what management calls "a high-energy entertainment and gaming club."

"I guess it's a live and learn situation," said Bryan Denham, who has managed the bar as a nightclub for the past two years. "We're going to have to give it a run and see how things work out."

Rodger L. Heer, who retains ownership of the troubled business, did not respond to requests for an interview.

On Friday night, about a dozen people tried the new concept, including Mirage regular Jill Selby of Lafayette. She brought her kids - Bayli, 6; Ashley, 8; and Brady, 9 - to her former night spot.

"It's kind of a little disappointing, but it's something fun for the kids," she said. "It gives them a place to play games and something different for them to go to."

The establishment's difficulties began after a customer who spent several hours drinking at the Mirage caused an auto crash that killed himself and two other people March 21.

Jeffrey A. Pedone Trout, 54, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.27 percent when his truck crossed the centerline on County Road 350 South, killing Sarah Towery, 24, of Auburn, Ill., and Earl E. "Chip" Smith, 20, of Riverton, Ill.

The Mirage's three-way liquor license expired July 25, and the prosecutor for the ABC is attempting to prevent Heer from obtaining a renewal.

"The way we look at it is we've got to give something back to the community, and this is the way to do it," Denham said. "The kids under 21 in this community don't have anything to do."

Ashleigh Bryant, 15, and Lacey Williford, 13, say the new Mirage will be a big hit with the teen community. The two sat at the bar area on Friday, sipping non-alcoholic pina coladas.

"I think it's a really good place to hang out," Bryant said. "They're going to play N'Sync and Backstreet Boys and that will bring out a lot of teens."

Williford said teens are always looking for different ways to spend their free time in Lafayette.

"I think it's going to be cool - no fights, no alcohol and no smoking," she said.

The business will be open for dancing, games and videos from 3 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The Mirage is open to all ages, but children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent.

The main dance area will feature a disc jockey Monday through Thursday and live bands on Friday and Saturday nights, Denham said.

Denham said Heer still plans to fight to get back his liquor license, but even if he succeeds, it won't be used at the Mirage.

"If he gets it back, he may open a different one, but it won't be this same establishment," Denham said. "We're going to go permanent. I think that we're pretty much done with the bar business."

HAVING FUN: Bayli Jackson (left), 6 and Ashley Selby, 8, dance Friday night to the music of Stingray at The Mirage in Lafayette. The former night club debuted Friday as an entertainment and gaming club that will not serve alcohol.