Former Paterson hookah lounge to become a pre-school

A former hookah lounge known for rowdiness and criminal activity will soon be put to better use. Neighbors of the Dubai Lounge in Paterson say that for years they have been kept up at night by loud

News 12 Staff

Apr 18, 2015, 3:37 AM

Updated 3,432 days ago

Share:

A former hookah lounge known for rowdiness and criminal activity will soon be put to better use.
Neighbors of the Dubai Lounge in Paterson say that for years they have been kept up at night by loud music and louder patrons of the club.
"We couldn't sleep at night. It was very crazy," says neighbor Amal Saeed. "We were afraid every night because sometimes they had guns."
"We've had bottles thrown. We've had garbage all over the place," neighbor Hap Coleman says.
This week, after the owners of the club were repeatedly cited over the years for violations, Paterson city officials were able to get it shut down. The building will now be used to house a pre-school.
"We are going to recruit many youngsters," says Councilman Andre Sayegh. "There is room for 90 to come and get a good start."
Neighbors in the area are happy with the result and some say they may even send their children there.
The pre-school will be privately operated by a woman who already runs another pre-school in the area. It is set to open this September.