Community Corner

New Midtown nightclub won't include owner with pending child molestation charges against him

Gatsby's owners say charges against friend are "unfortunate" and that they look like they "will be dismissed"

The owner of a new nightclub and dessert lounge readying to open in the Midtown Promenade says a friend with current child molestation charges pending against him will not be a part of the business operation.

Adam Rogers, who along with his wife Kristin, intends to open Gatsby’s as early as Thursday, Nov. 1 2012. It will take over the former 3-Legged Cowboy space in the shopping center at 10th and Monroe Drive. Employees will be adorned in Roaring Twenties period clothing inside the nearly 8,000 square-foot venue and the no-smoking nightclub will feature live music and DJs.

But it won’t have real estate developer Eric Claxton as part of the proprietorship or in any other capacity as was originally reported two weeks ago. When Claxton’s name was made public as one of those "opening the club," a handful of Midtown Patch readers expressed concern about recent charges of aggravated child molestation in Cobb County against the 25-year-old Marietta resident.

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At last week’s Midtown Neighbors’ Association (MNA) License & Permits Committee meeting, Adam Rogers explained that Claxton was a friend, but would not be affiliated with the new club.

“It’s unfortunate…crazy stuff happened,’’ Rogers said. "I spoke to his attorney about all that and it looks like it will all be dismissed. But he’s not involved with (Gatsby’s).”

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Gatsby’s is expected to go before the Neighborhood Planning Unit-E next week, but has been busy preparing for its soon-to-be opening in the meantime. Members of the MNA License & Permits Committee gave Gatsby's its full approval and there was talk of holding a future MNA Mingle in Midtown event at the new club.

"We're excited to be a part of the neighborhood," Kristin Rogers said.

The space has been empty since the country-themed 3-Legged Cowboy closed in April 2011.


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