The plumbing at a second-floor Larimer Square nightclub backed up, flooding a number of the businesses on the lower levels, three affected business owners said Monday.
It’s the second time this year a plumbing backup at Suite 200 has flooded its neighbors.
The flooding Friday night forced three businesses in the new Walkway on Larimer Square to close: TAG Raw Bar, BrittneyLynn and LaFame Boutique.
One other damaged business, Cry Baby Ranch, remained open Monday.
“The ceiling is all wet … and you could see the water was brown,” said Troy Guard, owner of TAG. “I didn’t feel safe enough to open within 24 hours. I wasn’t about to take the risk.”
Suite 200 owner Francois Safieddine could not be reached for comment. His company, doing business as Lotus Clubs, also owns and operates Chloe Mezza Lounge and Chloe Discotechque, 24K and Oak Tavern all on Market Street between 14th and 15th streets.
BrittneyLynn, a gift business which opened in December, barely survived the first flood on New Year’s Eve, said Brittney Holobinko, co-owner of the shop. At less than a month old, the shop had to close for 10 days.
“We lost half of our products,” she said. “Anything that touched the water we can’t sell. … We don’t necessarily have the money to replace everything we lost.”
She said she tried talking to Suite 200’s insurance company and didn’t get any help. Her insurance will pay to replace products, and cover 55 percent of potential lost business, beginning 72 hours after the damage was incurred.
Guard and Holobinko said they’d like to see landlord Larimer Associates evict Suite 200.
“We can’t be afraid every night that the toilets are going to back up and we’re going to get flooded,” Holobinko said.
The New Year’s Eve flood forced Cry Baby Ranch to close for six days during the National Western Stock Show, typically the store’s busiest time of year, said owner Roxanne Thurman. Big chunks of Cry Baby Ranch’s ceiling fell down, and water stained walls and damaged merchandise.
“If the tables were turned, and I caused a problem, I’d be the first person there with an insurance card and a mop,” Thurman said. “It’s been a very interesting lesson in social responsibility.”
Thurman on Monday was trying to keep Cry Baby Ranch open as it dries out. The plumbing backups are a recurring problem for Suite 200, with several other occurrences prior to the two floods this year, she said.
Carolyn Waldmann, general manager for Larimer Square, declined to provide specific information about flooding from the nightclub.
“It’s a legal matter at this point and the attorneys are involved in dealing with Suite 200 and the insurance carriers,” she said.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
