Cooley is getting responses from: a website (yourclub.blog.com), about 1,600 fliers that have been handed out, and the TV interview. "I need a minimum of 500 responses, hopefully all positive, before I can make an investment," Cooley told Business News just before taping. He said he is prepared to spend more than $100,000 to start the club. He wants a mechanical bull, a sound system and other furnishings for a state-of-the-art night club, just without booze or, of course, illegal drugs. To enforce that, Cooley says he will hire a security force made up of local off-duty police personnel.
The club's major clientele would be made up of 17- 21 year-olds. That's why Cooley is spending a lot of time at Chipola College. He has hired students to hand out the fliers and on Monday, he taped the interview with Reagan. It will be shown on cable channel 4 at 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday of this week.
"I think it would work, it's definitely needed," Reagan said after the interview. Marianna needs a place with no alcohol and no outlaws."
"I have to have an adequate response or I can't do it," Cooley said. "And I need to know in three weeks." Cooley said he has opened and operated several such clubs in the past and most all of them have been hugely successful. He's encouraged that the possible opening here could coincide with the premiere of "Footloose," a youthful dance film remake. He wants the club to feature DJ music suitable for country line dancing on certain nights (hence the mechanical bull for additional entertainment in the country theme). Cooley said he will consider featuring pop music at the club as well but rap music is "not suitable." Music preference is one of the main questions he wants answered by the survey.
Some business interests in Marianna are watching this closely. Cooley's club, if successful, could help to revitalize a strip mall, shopping center or other business area.
