Owner closes club doors in protest

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It's a Saturday night in Austin and that means crowds will be flocking to bars and restaurants downtown. But they won't be able to buy a drink at Logan's on 6th Street.

The bar owner tells KXAN he is now closing his doors in protest and taking a stand against homeless crime that he says is ruining his business.

Downtown's East 6th street has gotten the popular nickname of "Dirty 6th". Friday night a stabbing between two homeless men right outside of Logan's has the owner now fed up, and looking to clean up the reputation.

"It is out of control down here this is not a safe place to come at night and I don't like that,' said Joe Bendetti, owner of Logan's at 6th Street.

Bendetti has owned the restaurant for 15 years and says the problem has only gotten worse. A growing homeless population along with new benches and spots to hang out has added to the problem of people panhandling and asking for money right outside of his doors.

Friday night's stabbing has Bendetti fed up and fighting to keep his business the way it was.

"It was a safe place and it was a great place for a long time and it can be again but its going to take action," said Bendetti.

Austin police patrol the area writing tickets and making arrests but current laws aren't tough enough to keep the loiterers from returning. Other business owners say the eye sore is driving customer away as well and has effected revenue on East 6th street.

Bendetti is now taking action and going to city council to see if any new ordinances can be put in place to stop this problem from getting any worse.