A notice from the City of Tracy on the front of the Great Plate Bar and Grill closed the second floor of the restaurant due to alleged code violations. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press
The vacate order presented by code enforcement officers Ana Contreras and Jim Decker said that the second floor of the restaurant was being used as a night club, which is a non-permitted use
They also wrote that the second floor is too dangerous to occupy and violated the California building code, California fire code, California electrical code and the uniform code for the abatement of dangerous buildings code.
“The violations were numerous and affected life safety for the employees and the members of the public who use the facility,” the code enforcement officers wrote in their report.
Great Plate co-owner Jacobo Gallegos said on Friday, June 29, that restaurant manager Mike Corbett had contacted him Thursday about the vacate order. Neither wanted to comment on the matter.
According to one long-time patron, who did not want to give her name, the entire restaurant has recently been transformed into “Club Remix” for Friday and Saturday nights, with cover charges that range from $5 to $10 per person.
The patron said owners Gallegos and Antonio Andrade Rodriguez have invested heavily to upgrade the business since they took it over Jan. 7, 2012.
“They’ve taken loan after loan for this place,” she said. “They put a lot of money in upstairs. … I’ve been going to that bar for years. I think they’re (city officials) nitpicking at them. Everything they’ve done has broke their pockets.”
According to the order, there were numerous electrical problems on the second floor, including extension cords used in place of fixed wiring, fixtures with open splices and a makeshift electrical distribution system. It also cited problems with the railings of a stairwell and an unsecured exit door with a “fall hazard” on the other side.
The report also noted that the previously permitted and partially inspected wiring had not been completed.
Code enforcement officers reported exposed, energized conductors were in an uncovered box within the stairwell; the required 48-inch wide exit door at the downstairs exit of the building had not been installed; and required repairs to unreinforced masonry on both floors at the north wall of the building have not been completed.
Similar electrical violations, including extension cords stapled to the ceiling at the main bar and the ceiling over the bar area being covered with combustible woven fiber, were reported downstairs.
The order set deadlines for the owners to complete some of the required repairs and bring the outlined violations up to code. By July 3, the owners must provide the city with documentation to show the first floor has been treated to be fire-resistant and that the damaged landing and stair railings have been replaced or repaired.
The business loss of the temporary closure is likely less costly than if someone sued them for an accident that happened. Say a drunk person falling out the exit door they said was a fall hazard...Business's need to consider safety and not just profit. At one time the Great Plate was a nice family place to eat and didn't even need to become a night club at all really.
I have a children and I don't want them exposed to an open bar and the risk of harm. So I don't go there anymore.
The headline is very misleading. While the upstairs is closed for the time being, the restaurant and bar are open. I have had the privilege of having commentaries published by the Press and I'm very disappointed in the writer's and editors for this headline.
I understand code enforcement has a job to do and work needs to be done, but I wouldn't set foot in the building every day of the week if I felt I wasn't safe there. It's an old building. It's going to have its problems. I can assure every patron that the owners of the building and the business are doing everything they can to work with the city and each other to rectify any issues. It's a matter of jumping through hoops.
Again, I'm not on the inside of every meeting, but I do know a headline like this can hurt business for a well established and long running downtown establishment with many loyal patrons and employees. You don't have to like The Great Plate. But if you do, rest assured we are open!!
Free dictionary - night·club (ntklb)
n.
An establishment that stays open late at night and provides food, drink, entertainment, and music for dancing. Also called nightspot.
Hmmm there seem to be quite a few places in Tracy that offer these same things by the definition but they are not being shutdown. Follow the money!
I'm going to make a post too on www.tracyforums.com
Saying they are closed is inaccurate and will hamper the owners ability to attempt to make repairs demanded by the city. Please moderate your comments in order to give the owners At least an even chance.
If you have an opinion state it, but make sure everyone knows it is what you feel, not what really happened.
Mommyofthree you are exactly right. This town sucks. Helms was allowed to continue with violations for years before any action was taken. I hope the Grateplate can quickly fix the problems and get back into business. I guess the city just doesn't want Tracy to grow because that way they continue their lop sided politics and power. The people have to vote the out old and get these city officials who behave like they own the city out of their cozy offices. So much tax payer money spent on salaries of people who pretend everybody works for them when they should be working for us. The arrogance of some of the city staff is unbelievable. Just try talking to some of the women in the mayors office, you will see how inflated their egos are and how rude they come across. Like they say, give a cow a desk and they think they are king.
So first you were mad they were closing (which they are not) now you are happy? Whatever that is your choice but don't bring up Helm's because they were nothing like the previous owners of the great plate...The building next to helm's had the problem, but put the patrons of Helm's in DANGER..therefore, that was not the fault of Dave or anyone associated with Helm's it was the property owners fault!
The Great Plate is a place for gang bangers, drugs, and fights!! CLOSE IT DOWN!! The new owners
should of looked into who they got the buissness from..2 SCUM BAG CHUMPS!!
You might want to check the Tracy Press archives regarding your comment about Helms. It is quite evident that the city closed helms because of problems with the adjacent unit. It appears that Hembree, the landlord, ran the building into the ground and ran her tenants out of business.
Tracy Press, Great attention gathering headline. Par for the course. We have to read further that the use of 2nd floor is actually the issue.
Just because you don't like to dance doesn't mean others should not be allowed to. There is precious little Tracy has to offer. Let others live. Crawl into your little holes but don't drag the rest in with you.
I agree with you.
Your ignorance in regard to events continues to stagger the imagination. Any facts to support any of your allegations ?... or just your feelings ?
I looked up your cow quote, nothing. A link, anything?
The owners recently changed owners the last time I went all I wanted was to have was a few drinks and listen to some music and chill.
Instead I got a 10 buck cover charge, two young not very healthy looking girls shaking what their momma gave the on top of the bar (TACKY), Cheap drinks made w/out top shelf liquor.
As for the upstairs yes its seems very shaky when you walk the floor vibrates alot imagine it on a night when its packed. Definitely a hazard that need to get looked into.
It's better to be proactive than reactive IMHO.
Be a responsible mother. The supposed "lame[ness] of this town isn't predicated on whether it provides a place to dance for benighted mothers.
Stay home and educate your children.
I guess all of those Dads who patronize the business are ok though huh? Hmmmm....