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ABC30.com: Bingo Battle


 print story print story |  email storylast updated: 2/12/2004

Bingo Battle

A bingo parlor is raising lots of money for Clovis schools, but neighboring businesses claim it's also causing lots of problems for them.

It's located in Clovis, at Bullard and Minnewawa in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

The neighbors are asking the city of Clovis to shut it down.

The bingo parlor, known as the Clovis Hall, raises money for extra curricular activities at all four Clovis high schools. According to tax records, about $2 million a year.

The trouble is, the bingo players take up nearly all the parking spaces in the shopping center, and neighboring merchants say they're going broke.

Erica Anderson owns a skater shop, "You know, they take 300 parking places on an average and there are 329 places here. So, for the rest of us as retailers, that doesn't leave a whole lot of parking."

Erica and other business owners say its really hurting business. They say the bingo crowd comes early in the afternoon and stays late, until nearly midnight, choking off their business.

The business owners went before the Clovis Planning Commission Thursday night, asking the city to review the ten year old operation.

In that time, it's raised a lot of money and has been a gathering place for hundreds. Mary Eastwood plays bingo there, and likes it, "I have lots of friends here, and the people that run the place are awesome people. They are wonderful."

The place is not directly run by Clovis Unified, but by booster foundations for each school.

Another big issue with the merchants is smoking. The bingo hall that raises money for Clovis athletics, cheerleading and bands, allows smoking. It's one of the few public places in California where it's apparantly allowed. Although, Clovis police may review that.

The planning commission decided to hold another hearing to review the permit that allows the bingo hall to operate. A date has not been set.

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