With the Texas Relays in town, it appears many businesses, including some popular bars are closing their doors. According to an article in the Austin American-Statesman Owners and managers Thursday cited a variety of reasons for their decisions, including safety concerns, low revenue in past years and exhaustion from the South by Southwest Music Festival last month.” Two more popular clubs to be closed are Emo’s and Cantina Flamingo, a popular reggae spot. “It’s counterproductive for us to even be open because of the craziness downtown,” said Angela Gillen, owner of Flamingo Cantina. “It’s kind of dangerous, and the staff doesn’t want to work.”
“The shows that we’ve thrown in the past have not been successful, and it seems like it’s a big gun party in the streets. Folks that come to that event aren’t looking for reggae,” she said.
While APD says there is no more crime than any other large crowd weekend, they will add 100 officers to the streets.
