lamppost lounge

The Lamppost Lounge will continue to operate until a criminal case against the owner of the corporation in charge of the store is resolved.

At this week’s Pella City Council meeting, a liquor license submitted did not pass, but the filing was accepted as timely. That means the Lamppost Lounge can continue to operate until a criminal case against Troy Dee, who is listed on the license application as the owner, is done in the court.

Dee faces a felony charge of domestic abuse after an arrest in April. He has pled not guilty, and the court case has been continued until November. The license was last approved conditionally in 2015, as it was subject to review due to numerous incidents requiring police at the bar on Washington Street. Since the conditional approval, police have been called to the Lamppost six times, including the arrest of Joshua West for willful injury in September.

However, the license was not rejected on those ground, as city staff felt the bar had improved on compliance. Also, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division will make the final decision as to whether the Lamppost Lounge can remain open following the conclusion of Dee’s case.