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VENU owner files lawsuit against City of Buffalo over Chippewa Street under-21 restrictions

VENU owner Gregory Kales has filed a lawsuit against the City of Buffalo, arguing the Chippewa Street event center should be allowed to continue hosting patrons under 21 as city officials intensify enforcement in the Chippewa entertainment district. The city sent VENU a cease and desist letter in August contending it needed to submit a special use permit to allow patrons aged 18 to 21 to commingle and had failed to do so. VENU's attorney argues the venue has operated as an event center with the required permits since 2016 and VENU maintains its customers are not responsible for the district's public safety problems.