Nightclub owner surrenders license to sell alcohol

By John Crane

Published: August 25, 2008

The owner of a local nightclub has turned in his license to sell alcohol, a month after a Danville Circuit Court judge issued a temporary injunction prohibiting alcohol sales at his business.

Clemente McWilliams, owner of The Mint Soul Food Café & Lounge, surrendered his license Aug. 15, Jesse Tate, special agent with Virginia ABC Enforcement, said Monday.

An Alcoholic Beverage Control Board hearing was scheduled for Wednesday in Lynchburg to rule on charges that The Mint was a meeting place for drug deals and that the establishment kept alcoholic beverages it was not authorized to sell, Tate said. Seven other charges also were filed against it.

Attempts to reach McWilliams were unsuccessful Monday.

Circuit Judge David Melesco issued a temporary injunction in late July prohibiting The Mint from selling alcohol. The injunction came after city officials argued that the club was a public safety nuisance due to violent incidents there.

Danville Police Chief Philip Broadfoot testified that police were called to the establishment on Goodyear Boulevard 91 times since January 2007, with two calls involving all on-duty officers.

• Staff writer Bernard Baker

contributed to this report.

Contact John R. Crane at or (434) 791-7987.