NORA SPRINGS, IOWA – “They finally got me,” the owner of a controversial juice bar told NIT Wednesday.
Dale Peterson, owner of the Pole Barn Theater “juice bar” in downtown Nora Springs, has closed his business permanently, he says.
“The repairs are just too expensive,” Mr. Peterson said, describing a pricy water sprinkler system that authorities told him is required to be installed at his building at 14 North Hawkeye.
“It’s a real shame too. I was making money and putting some money in the girls’ pockets. Everyone was having a great time. A few people had to have their way here, and now that’s it.”
This announcement comes on the heels of the arrest of Mr. Peterson’s bouncer, Aron Bierl, who was taken away Tuesday after a search warrant was executed at his home in Nora Springs.
“Just too hard to continue on,” Mr. Peterson said. He told NIT he isn’t planning any legal action against the city for allowing protesters to allegedly “harass” his patrons or apply or enforce what some called “arbitrary” rules to his business.
Mr. Peterson also told NIT he is actively seeking a new home for his juice bar.
“If you want to put any feelers out there for me, go right ahead,” Mr. Peterson said. “If I find a good location, a town willing to have a great little business, I’ll be on way way.”
If I was going to one of these places and protesters harassed me I would punch them. Just like the poor Senator who was assaulted by the two women in the elevator he needed to call the police on them.
This gentleman is a sleezeball. He is a known pimp. I don’t see a pimp as a guy promoting good clean fun. I don’t care what anyone does in their free time, but these clubs belong on the outskirts of bigger towns who have the budgets to patrol the areas. Adios.
Dale – come to Manly -the only businesses we have downtown are the government post office and the senior citizens center -Us old codgers could use a lift for our poles. Have any cougars available? Best stay open late around the 1st of each month when our no raise in 10 years SS check arrive.
Thanks for your preemptive support. Dale has already offered me a featured pole dancing spot on opening night. BTW social security checks fit nicely into my g-string, unless I decide to go without.
I swear the “Troll’s” are just everywhere. Always worrying about the tenants, I think they will be just fine, if not better.
This guy is not smart. If he look to the other business ,that need sprinkles and the City don’t enforce them to install it, THAT’S A CLEAR SIGN THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO KICK HIM OUT OF THE TOWN. Law Sue can be file!! Nora Spring Sucks!! Keep living poor because your Stupid Believes!
I’ve been driving thru NS for years on my way home to MC from business trips. The town is in rapid decline as is true with so many small towns across the state. Perhaps the Pole Barn isn’t the answer to growth and development or so says the city council thru their johnny come lately code maneuvering. But what do the city leaders propose for rebirth? And will the citizens answer the call to rally around a new cause?
I heard a councilman from Plymouth would be interested….
Maybe the people who are complaining that everyone in Nora Springs needs to have a sprinkler system should read the Iowa codes for theaters. They have lots of time to make stupid comments but no time at all to read what the laws say !!! You cant fix stupid .. STUPID IS STUPID !!!!!!!!!!!!
Boom, there it is….logic ! Finally…
Will the last person leaving Nora Springs please turn out the lights. The grim reaper will be coming along shortly to nail the coffin shut.
Nora Springs reputation is ruined and its not because of this ‘business’ it’s because the residents have shown everyone what a nasty group of people they really are. I hope every business in Nora Springs needs an updated sprinkler system. Of course as long as it’s a business the townsfolk deem appropriate, I’m sure that can be over looked. The occupants who live in the apartments above the former Pole Barn Theater need to be looking for other housing arrangements.
The sprinkler system is needed because DALE called it a theater NOT the town of Nora Springs! That building is a fire waiting to happen. If nothing had been done someone would of complained the city should have done something!
Come to Waterloo,Iowa always welcome new clubs
Seriously, this whole thing played out the way it should have. He thought that this small town was going to be easy. Guess they proved him wrong, watch out Rockford, Marble Rock, an other small towns. He is looking around he said ! Hope you have all your ducks in a row.q
Wow how 18th century of you to push your beliefs upon others. If the Pole Barn is a legal business towns should not be able to change rules for that specific business! I don’t see inspectors in Casey’s or any other business picking out issues! THAT IS CALLED HARASSMENT LAST I CHECKED!!!!
Okay Mama, you’re a big ole bear.
If I were dale I would go after every business that doesn’t have a sprinkler system. Frosty mugs never had one and neither did the elephant keg that was on fire multiple times. Maybe if they had one installed it would be still standing. But it took over one if the best hidden restaurants in iowa to house a bar.
I think the reason for the sprinkler system and the reason the other business don’t have to have one is that Dale called his business a theater. It was a loop whole the city used as state law says all theaters must have fore sprinkler systems installed to be up to code.
Dale Peterson is banned from operating an adult business for 15 years in MN as terms for his probation for his prostitution conviction. That is why this man keeps preying on Iowa small towns. You would have to be naive to think that Dale hasn’t continued to sell his girls, utilizing his “juice bar” as a front.
Just speculation… Bring proof or don’t slander!
Not slander… If you search the MN courts page for Dale Peterson it comes up. http://pa.courts.state.mn.us/Search.aspx?ID=100
Guilty of promotion of prostitution. If you read the document it shows the terms of his probation.
Nice post Dale
I can’t even believe that anyone leased him the building. He’s clearly not a very astute businessman. If I were him I would move to Montana, change my name, and start over again.
Sorry to hear the news Dale. Maybe you and Kevin will have to find another way to make a living instead of exploiting women !!! DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE ASS WHEN YOU LEAVE !!
I really doubt these women are exploited? They were making money and happy to be doing it. How is that being exploited?
Would you want your Mother, sister, or daughter doing it even IF “they were making good money”? Would you tell your friends about it? Or would you consider someone making money off them exploitation?
I would guess sense they are all adults, they can make their own mind. Just like people had the choice to go to the Pole Barn or not? I did not, I had no problem with those who did.
All you protesters are a joke. Poor guy, what a shame.
Good to hear! Nora Springs is a very nice little town and it sure didn’t need this so called “business” ruining its reputation. I’m guessing there won’t be an empty house in Nora Springs after the pork processing plant is built in Mason City.
If you think a pork processing plant won’t bring strip clubs and bars for people who work 40+ hours a week in a factory with pig flesh, you are kidding yourself
The only way he would be able to open would be along side the interstate because I bet every town around here now has zoning laws.
You try to get around having permit for alcohol by calling yourself a “theater”. THEN you are shocked when you haven’t met all the code requirements for running a “theater”? That’s not an oversight that’s what you get for trying to pull a “fast one”.