El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez has announced plans to permanently close Chicas Locas, the venue previously known as Jaguars Gold Club. This decision comes after the establishment allegedly violated a previous agreement with local authorities. RCI Holdings, the company that owns Chicas Locas, has been served a "notice of violation" following the club's highly publicized reopening, as reported by KTSM.
The litigation against the company outlines several specific allegations, among them the failure to appropriately change the establishment's branding to avoid confusion with the defunct Jaguars Gold Club. El Paso County officials are now seeking to shut the establishment down. The ongoing legal dispute, aiming to enforce a one-year closure and a forfeiture of a $5,000 bond, stands as a testament to the county’s rigorous enforcement of business agreements, according to KFOX-TV.
Furthermore, the list of grievances includes accusations that the operators of Chicas Locas did not follow through on their obligation to provide proof of alcohol service licensing from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). This requirement and others were laid out in a settlement disclosed by county officials in March 2024 which stipulated that any new business at this location was to eschew operating as a sexually oriented business (SOB) and must avoid using the word "strip" in any marketing efforts.
The recent legal action not only challenges the business's compliance with previous agreements but also highlights concerns over public safety and building code adherence. Specifically mentioned are allegations of insufficient security measures, both in terms of personnel and surveillance equipment, as well as non-compliance with the City of El Paso's fire code, an infraction noted during an inspection on September 5. "The owners of the property may choose to open a new business at that address," county officials said, as per KVIA.
The collection of these alleged violations has precipitated the county’s firm response and request for remedial measures. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what the implications will be for the future of Chicas Locas and the location it occupies. What is clear is that El Paso County is resolute in maintaining compliance with agreements made by businesses within its jurisdiction, particularly when it comes to legal settlements designed to address community standards and safety concerns.
