Black Pearl hopes to open July 1st at 10809 Mukilteo Speedway
He’s tried a Card Room, Mini-Casino, Karaoke, Teen Club, Live Music, Free Pool, Darts and Happy Hour Specials but local Everett Businessman Robert J. Noriega has yet to find the formula for success at his place on the west side of Paine Field. Next up, The Black Pearl, a strip club that he hopes will allow him to recover his investment in the property. I had a chance to sit down with Robert this afternoon and found him open, engaging and very upfront about the many different ways he’s tried to make a go of it since opening The Pointe After in 2009. He tells me he’s no stranger to west Everett and Mukilteo, raising a family and coaching at the Mukilteo Boys and Girls Club for the past sixteen years. Having exhausted most of the uses for the building, he says he plans on removing the liquor and beer and serving only non-alcoholic drinks. He built a stage, is applying for all of the necessary permits and plans to run a clean upscale club. He’s looking for a professional manager and while he knows that some people in Mukilteo will likely be outraged that a strip club is opening across the city-county line, he hasn’t received support from enough of the residents to make any of the other forms of entertainment he’s tried, profitable. Over the years there have been a string of businesses in that location that have come and gone. From its time decades ago as a tavern called Soft Sam’s, to then Big Sam’s and then a few other variations before undergoing a major remodel and becoming Cartwright’s American Broiler. Most recently it was Cherry Blossom Thai and Sushi before it became the Pointe After Casino and finally, the Pointe After Lounge, It does appear the location has been practically everything but a strip club.
Since it’s located in unincorporated Snohomish County, and fits within their zoning rules for adult entertainment, Noriega says there is little Mukilteo or Everett can do to stop the club. He tells me he’ll be a good neighbor, employer and local business owner. So the question becomes…Since its a legally permitted business under local laws and given the area’s economy, don’t we need all the local business owners we can get? Including legal strip clubs that are complying with zoning rules and all applicable laws? Plus the State and Snohomish County can really use the taxes and licensing fees the Black Pearl will generate. Good luck Mr. Noriega, it should be interesting to watch what happens.
June 12, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Really? You want to wish a “business owner” good luck for a strip club business because every other venture at this location has failed? You want to say good luck to the same kind of business that usually attracts prostitution, fights, drugs, etc.? We might have to allow it legally, but we don’t have to sanction it morally. So I don’t wish him well.
June 13, 2011 at 2:40 PM
The last thing I wish for Mr Noriega is success Is this the first step in the County’s plan for a sleezy new airport complex??
June 13, 2011 at 3:39 PM
With Casino Road being the hub for prostitution in the area I think Mr. Noriega ought to have a chance for success with his latest adventure. Does owning such a business really make you anything different? Glad he plans on being a “good neighbor” . Hmm with neighbors like him…. Please take your losses and move on.
June 14, 2011 at 6:04 PM
Mr Noriega seems to put blame on the Mukilteo residents for not supporting his different attempts at buisness. The reason his buisness is failing, is the same reason every other buisness failed there. The location and the appearance of the building. Would a smart buisness man buy and locate his buisness where everyone else has failed? Cut your losses.
June 15, 2011 at 4:30 PM
Any business requires customers, I really cant imagine why anyone with a half a brain would think that an non-family oriented business would have a chance in this area.
Even suggesting that we need the taxes is an insult. That like saying a fireman needs a house to catch on fire!
Really…
June 17, 2011 at 11:25 PM
What a bunch of hypocrites see what we have in a five mile radius of this place.
At least 5 different “massage parlors” places where a happy ending is the norm, several adult book (porn toy) shops. Oh and not least of which is a High Class swingers club which has been in operation for a couple of decades. And you’re worried about a strip club.
June 20, 2011 at 9:39 PM
a high class swingers club? and whats this so place called
June 21, 2011 at 10:12 PM
The bizarre Random Capitalization was far too annoying to get through even the first paragraph, much less the writer (obviously not a journalist) constantly referring to themselves, so I had to skip to the comments. Which, by the way, are much higher quality writing and not at all obnoxious.
Anyway, from the comments it’s obvious this type of business isn’t welcome here, which is why it and its predecessors are doomed to failure. Hopefully it’ll fail as quickly as all the others that have floundered at that location.
June 23, 2011 at 5:48 PM
Its amazing how close minded you people are. For a liberal state who’s biggest city was not only based upon but also financially backed by the “sex industry” ( a madam in Seattle backed the banks so it could rebuild ) , the citizens only see what they want to. Strip clubs don’t hurt people, its not all sex, drugs and rock and roll; no more than the guy working next to you or your neighbor. Its a healthy outlet for people who lack social skills, men who could possibly pray on your daughters and a place to have a good time. I danced for years and am proud of that, its gotten me through hard times, payed for my children ( not the state ) and financed my education ( Spanish translating and social services certifications). Do some research, meet some actual dancers, yeah some do drugs, but so do your high school age kids, but most are hard working moms, college students and overall good people.
July 30, 2011 at 10:14 AM
How about a quality aviation themed restaurant?
July 30, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Thanks for the comment. My suggestion for that site would be a farmer’s market with fresh veggies, fruits, flowers and even fish. Just my 2 cents.
LD
January 15, 2012 at 4:23 PM
I LOVE the farmer’s market idea! It is much more forward thinking and with the times.
August 1, 2011 at 11:10 AM
I love the part about Him being a good employer .. That’s a joke!!! The reason his business failed is because : He treated his staff like dirt, changed business plans every other day, he still owes most of the people that worked for him large sums of back pay, more worried about appearance then willing to get down and do hard work , sexual harassment , the list goes on …. as far as wishing him success it would only be so me and my ex coworkers could maybe see some of the money we worked so hard for!!! He doesn’t even live in Mukilteo like he claims .. He just uses his ex wife’s address.
May 23, 2012 at 2:56 PM
There is hope and activity at this location again! My favorite pizza place Lombardos is moving out of the shopping center it has been in for almost as long as I remember, and setting up shop there.I think if anyone can make it there they can. I know I will do my part to support this family owned business. It’s really a no brainer. Their pizza is the best around by far! Good luck Lombardos!