MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A controversial Cordova restaurant will not be opening as a strip club. A judge stripped those chances in court. Stella Marris opened as a restaurant two years ago, but owner Steve Cooper has since applied to get a permit that would allow stripping at the eatery.
The name, Stella Marris is Latin for star of the sea. So far there's been nothing to see at the club on Germantown parkway.
"The good news is we won that victory," said Brian Stephens.
Stephens, with the Cordova Leadership Council, told abc24.com that victory came in the form of a judge's ruling that will prohibit topless dancing at Stella Marris.
"The law says at that location they're not allowed to have a strip club or bikini bar and that's what we wanted to do to protect our community," said Stephens.
Early in 2011, Memphis City Council members imposed a moratorium on permits for topless dancers. That moratorium has ended and apparently so have Cooper's chances of opening his strip club in Cordova.
Elita Staten, who works at “Helping People God's Way” thrift store across the street from Stella Marris, told abc24.com she doesn't have a problem with the club.
"If it was just a restaurant, maybe a nightclub, dancing while you eat that's fine, but if it's a strip joint or any other kind; no,” said Staten.
Steve Cooper told abc24.com Stella Marris will open as a supper club and restaurant.
