City seeks closure of Jacques’. Hearing on petition set for Tuesday

The proposal for the shuttering of Jacques’ nightclub, alleged to be a public nuisance, will be argued by authorities from Vicksburg in a judicial hearing set for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The session will be held in Indianola, at the 9th Chancery District Court. Chancellor Debra M. Giles will preside over the matter, taking over from Chancellor Vicki R. Barnes of Warren County who recused herself. The aim of the City is to impose an interim order, halting operations at Jacques’ until a formal hearing to permanently shut down the establishment can take place.

After the July 5 shooting in the parking lot of Jacques’ and The Mulberry, which involved four guns discharging as many as 117 rounds and causing extensive damage but no injuries, the city’s authorities took action. On July 10, they demanded a safety memorandum from both establishments.

Although The Mulberry complied, Jacques’ did not. This led to a proposal to shut down Jacques’, filed by the city on July 25. The filing was 550 pages, according to Allen. The filing was against Jay Parmegiani, Kara Parmegiani, the Refined South Restaurant Group, LLC (owned by Parmegiani), and Bellamare Development, LLC, which owns The Mulberry.

Jacques’ and its parking lot have been involved in two shootings since May 6 of this year. The first wounded 4 security guards for Jacques’. Warrants were issued for that shooting.

Recently, another altercation was reported at the establishment involving a 20-year-old. According to Police Chief Penny Jones, the Vicksburg Police Department was not called to the scene; they were made aware of the incident the day after.