Local business owners are pleased that demolition of the Plush Lounge building is underway.

Columbia, Missouri (KMIZ)

Demolition of the old Plush Lounge building in Columbia began Wednesday.

John Simon, the city’s director of building and site development, told ABC 17, “We are confident that the only structure that needs to be removed is the burnt structure.” Surrounding buildings near the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Range Line Street include apartment complexes and businesses.

The building caught fire in March. The fire department is still investigating the cause of the fire. The debris left behind was beginning to become an eyesore for surrounding businesses.

On March 22, Demetrius Woods’ father received a call at 3 a.m. that the Plush Lounge was on fire. Woods’ business, Woods Auto and his spa, was just a few yards away.

“He ran here, and I can tell you it was kind of a scary sight. After everything was over, we lost power for about six hours that day. But we opened fire,” Woods said. . We had a backup generator running, so we were able to continue operating. ”

Kent Sapp, owner of Signs by Woody, said he saw people coming in and out of the building to stay warm before the building ultimately burned down.

Last May, Plush Lounge announced it would close indefinitely after a shooting in the parking lot left one person dead and another injured. Such incidents were not uncommon in this area.

In June 2021, police arrested Damar Harris for allegedly firing a gun into brush from a parked vehicle while he was parked in a parking lot. In September 2021, police responded after more than a dozen shots were fired in the Plush Lounge parking lot. Then, in November, a woman was shot and killed in the area, and police found property damaged. In June 2022, a woman was shot and suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Sapp said one of his trailers was hit by a stray bullet during one of them.

“There were multiple shootings, but the police were always investigating,” Sapp said.

Sapp claims that some of the activity happening around Plush Lounge was giving other businesses in the area a bad reputation. Woods said the building that will eventually be demolished will be good for surrounding businesses.

“I mean, who wants to go shopping when their life is threatened?” Woods said. “Customer service is one of our top priorities here at Woods Auto Spa, so we want our customers to feel at ease.”