11-03-2025
City files motion to close South Side restaurant following recent homicide
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The city of Youngstown is officially looking to close a South Side restaurant after three homicides have occurred at the location since 2021.
According to filings in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, lawyers for the city are requesting a temporary restraining order against Vibez Restaurant and Event Center on Midlothian Boulevard because the premises 'constitute a nuisance and continuing hazard to the life and property of the citizens.'
Last week, officers found 30-year-old Deandre Stores fatally shot in the restaurant's parking lot.
Officers with the Code Enforcement Department inspected Vibez last Wednesday. They say the building failed on nine different maintenance regulations.
The owners were told they have until April 7 to bring it to compliance or they will face possible criminal prosecution.
The city said in filings that other criminal and nuisance activity that has 'destroyed the peaceand quiet enjoyment of the community,' such as large crowds, mass fighting, reckless driving, and loud noises, claiming Vibez negatively affects the health and safety of the local community.
The motion also states that the property has been issued three violations by the city since September 2024 for accumulating garbage and poor property maintenance.
No attempts have been made to notify Vibez owners, as the city says this could pose a danger to police officers and wants to immediately padlock the restaurant.
The city is also requesting a preliminary and permanent injunction against Vibez, which would close the restaurant for one year until a final judgment is issued in the case.
Vibez owners would be required to cover costs for cleaning and boarding up the property, attorney fees and a $300 tax for alleged nuisances against the city, according to the motion.
A judge must approve the temporary restraining order as well as any injunctions.
The motions can be viewed in the document below:
Vibez-Court-MotionsDownload
Youngstown Councilwoman Amber White has called for the closing of Vibez as well.
Calvin Moore, 27, died on Christmas Day in 2021, and another homicide happened on the premises in July of 2022 that left three other people injured.
Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report.
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