FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Karaoke Studios Get Late-Night OK

Customers renting private booths at the city’s two karaoke studios can sing the night away--and into the early morning.

The owners of both of the karaoke studios received the approval of the Planning Commission last week to extend their hours of operation beyond 2 a.m.

Elvis!? Karaoke Studios, 18914 Brookhurst St., was told it could stay open until 4 a.m.

Only You, 18120 Brookhurst St., was granted permission to remain open until 3 a.m.

The Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 to approve both extensions despite a recommendation from the planning staff that the request be denied because police are worried the late hours could turn the shopping centers that house the businesses into late-night hangouts for youth.

“It appears we’re quite liberal in our closing times compared to other cities in the area,” Police Chief Elvin Miali said in a memo to commissioners. “All the surrounding stores or restaurants close earlier than these karaoke studios. I do not want these locations to become hangouts, which could be an invitation for undesirables. The current hours of operation appear more then sufficient.”

Commissioner Frank Hopkins, who cast the opposing vote, along with Commissioner Nancy Cooper, agreed that there was no reason to allow the establishments to remain open after 2 a.m.

“The police chief felt there was a possibility of it creating problems,” Hopkins said. “I took his advice.”

Owners of both studios said they don’t believe the longer business hours will promote problems.

“We have not had one problem,” said Jim Walker, owner of Elvis!? Karaoke Studios, adding that the “people who like to come to our place are not the kind who hang out,” especially with the studio charging $25 an hour to rent a private room.

Walker said the longer hours are needed to improve business and that longer hours are crucial to the business’ survival because of the increased competition from karaoke studios in the area.

“We’re not doing a good business; we’re way down. That’s one of the reasons why we want the extra hours,” he said. “Obviously, if you’re open longer, there’s a chance for customers to come in.”

Lisa Tsuzuki, owner of Only You, which is down the street from Walker’s studio, said she wants to remain open until 3 a.m. because customers don’t want to leave at 2.

“They want to continue singing,” she said. “It’s very hard to get the customer out by 2 o’clock.”

Tsuzuki said her business will continue to close its doors at 2 a.m., but now she will not “have to throw the customers out at exactly 2 o’clock.”