Glazer: The Sad Reality of Employee Theft in the Nightclub Game & Jardine’s

First off, I know Jardine’s owner Beena through Hearne…

I met her about 10 years back at his home for a Super Bowl Party. It was a Who’s Who of KC. Even the Mayor and Star publisher Art Brisbane were there. Beena was married at the time. But it wasn’t long before she remarried and moved back to India. Hard to run a tight ship when the owner is gone that much.

Beena was kind and generous to me and my friends and family. I didn’t go to her club often, but when I did she was all over the table, Jardine’s guests and seemed to be a very hard worker. Beena loved her Jardine’s. When Hearne got divorced, he dated Beena for a while. So we saw each other fairly often then.

All I can tell you is this, bars, restaurants and nightclubs are a tough ticketmost don’t stay open more than a year or two.

One of the main reasons is people tire of a new place quickly. Another big problem is employee theft.

It just happens. The staff is handling alot of cash, especially behind a bar or the door money. You can count on some theft. If the owner is gone too much, then it becomes big time stealing.

The staff sees the club owner in his or her new car, nice clothes, nobody seems to be their boss, and in short order the owner is often seen as the BAD GUY. "He or She owes me"……if they don’t give it to me, I’ll take it. We earned it. WE DO ALL THE WORK."

This is a common battle cry. Why do you think restaurants and clubs are on computers? To slow down theft mostly.

No, the staff never will admit guilt. Never. Well, almost never.

Case in point: Actor Arliss Howard a very successful movie actor today who is married to Academy Award nominee Debra Winger, worked at Stanford’s in Westport from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s before going to Hollywood.

After several years of making big money and doing well (he co-starred in Full Metal Jacket and Jurassic Park) he came back to Stanford’s to see my dad, Stan. Arliss had always been a trusted and honest bartender back in the day. But when he returned, he gave my dad an envelope and said he was sorry for being broke and taking extra money when he worked at Stanford’s. 

My Dad was shocked. "If Les stole, my God, the other guys must have been 10 times worse," Stan said.

The envelope had a couple grand in it. Damn. Lesson learned. Even honest people will take money if its easy and "everyone else is doing it."  By the way what a kind act by Howard.

So in Beena’s case, I’m sure that theft was everywhere. The club got a bit out of control with Beena going through a divorce, battle with ex-husbands and bills, the tough economy in the entertainment world, and just being a single woman in a man’s business. That’s not easy. Give the girl some credit, she ran that spot for more than 10 years. It’s a well known club and the tops in jazz in KC.

Again, I have only been there a few times in the last couple years. I work on Friday and Saturday nights, so I am not out much to other clubs. But I never had a bad time at Jardine’s when I brought in people like Dave Coulier(Star of TV hit show Full House) and Tommy Chong (Cheech and Chong). We loved it there.

It’s my understanding that she owes her staff under $1,000. That makes sense in light of the fact the place had few employees and most were tipped employee’s so their hourly would be low.

She says she is going to pay them all and I believe her.

She is just pissed off over the theft stories brought to her by other staff and customers. Hey, when we closed American Chrome (right after changing the name from Johnny Dare’s) we had this happen. A ton of theft because I was barely there.

When you take federal bankruptcy which that club did, you are not allowed to pay anyone. It’s a crime if you do! All the people you owe would then need to be paid and you can’t be selective. It’s a tough deal for everyone. The stealing goes way up when the staff thinks its a sinking ship. It’s every man for themselves and then let’s move to the next club.

Stealing was rampant at American Chrome the last two months when word got out we were leaving.

Even a couple managers and trusted bartenders were taking big bucks. My brother Jeff and I were well trained against theft but we were too tied up legally to make a move until it was too late. There are always a couple honest people like Big Eric, who was loyal and a great guy. He was about the only one who we think didn’t steal from us. We lost like 30 grand in 60 days to theft.

Sad but true.

I hope Beena can keep the club open. I’m sure a few of those staffers were honest, but some weren’t.

Most will have other jobs in a week or two, but if Beena closes what will she do? Do they care? I doubt it, she is now the evil one. Knowing Beena, I’m sure she did many nice things for these guys and girls at times. She is not a mean person. I hope it all works out for everyone involved. Again I don’t know her staff, the ones I met seemed nice, but it’s the way of the world.

Everyone is out for themselves.

http://www.mb-kc.com/
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35 Responses to Glazer: The Sad Reality of Employee Theft in the Nightclub Game & Jardine’s

  1. smartman says:

    This to shall pass
    The Mutual Admiration Society stuff is touching. I think I’ll cry. Some people are like food they either spoil or get eaten and turn to shit. Sooner or later you gotta dump ’em. Beena’s BAD NEWS. She needs to get run out of town like Funk and The Squid. I hear Mumbai’s nice this time of year. She’s a psychopath with a coke addiction. If you’re REALLY her FRIEND then you might wanna talk her into going to Valley Hope in Atchison or Boonville. REAL FRIENDS tell people what they need to know NOT what they wanna HEAR! As hard as it is for some people to handle the truth it’s even harder for others to speak it.

  2. Downtown Davey says:

    Great Story Glazer
    Now that was educational Craig. A lesson for all of us who are on the other side of the bar so to speak. Thank you for the insight. Man was that a trip about Arliss and the stealing. I had no idea your industry was so loaded with theft. You hear about it, but that was inside dope. Good one. I do now feel a bit sorry for Beena and Jardines.

  3. Doormat says:

    Smartman Makes Sense Too Glazer
    I am sypathetic to the stealing Glazer, but so many have come out and talked about her drug use being out of control. Maybe you were not aware of this. I know, I know you had your own issues with drugs, but I think that was a minute ago and you seem pretty on it these days. Beena is not you. She is not a public figure like you. She does look kinda hot. Maybe you can help her out in many ways. Just saying. If she has a drug problem give her guideance, thats all.

  4. Yup says:

    It is tough to run a tight ship when your owner is gone
    1) You just name dropped Joey from Full House. Wow.

    2) “Hard to run a tight ship when the owner is gone that much.”
    It wasn’t easy when the owner was mentally out of town either.

    3) If Arliss Howard stole, that must mean everyone steals! Eureka! And if everyone steals, then that must mean Beena is a good person and she doesn’t steal from musicians or employees.

    Keep on the logic train of journalistic credibility.

  5. Play the game! says:

    How many fallacies can YOU find?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies

    The person who finds the most fallacies in this article gets a free drink at the KCC Jardine’s party!

  6. TOby says:

    Laughable
    So let me get this straight… based on your experiences in the ’80s knowing people in the restaurant business, you have deduced that “only a few” of the 15 fired servers plus all the past servers are honest, and the rest have to have been stealing. Nothing you witnessed directly, just taking your friend of 10 years word for it and deducing based on your glamorous past in the industry.

    Horseshit, dude. The more you post about situations you don’t know about, the more you look like a clown.

  7. Hold on says:

    GLAZER 1000% FAN
    Holy shit. Glazer knows Dave Coulier? Forget about every wrong thing Beena has ever done–NOW.

    This guy seems legit.

  8. Vsh says:

    Wait…
    Does he mean… THIS Dave Coulier?

    http://www.pickwickandfrolic.com/hilarities/bio/comicImages/dave%20coulier.jpg

    No way. Look at that handsome motherfucker.

  9. dave coulier says:

    YES!!! This is the most press i have had in years!
    Thanks Craig! This will do wonders for my career. I hear Bob Saget is making a new show maybe with press like this he will finally return one of my 10,000 phone calls and text messages!

    p.s. Next time I am in town the blow is still on you!!!

    p.s.s. Go Redwings…. and Cut it out!!!!!

  10. James says:

    Seriously?
    I usually don’t comment on these open forums but felt compelled since I was a former employee of Jardine’s and FORMER friend of Beena’s. The downfall of Jardine’s was inevitible even when I was working there over a year ago. The logic Glazer has set forth is completely reasonable BUT if he REALLY knew Beena and the way her business was run, he would not be advocating her. “Stealing” may be common in every restaurant/bar but using employees tip money from previous shifts to buy booze/drugs for personal use is not only unlawful, but unethical. I hate to say it because I love Jardine’s (employees and artists), but the Beena train finally ran out of track.

  11. FORMER EMPLOYEE says:

    I’VE SEEN IT ALL
    I STARTED WORKING AT JARDINE’S WHEN THE HALSTEAD’S WERE THE OWNERS AND WITH BEENA WHEN SHE TOOK OVER.
    AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I HAVE A BLAST WORKING THERE !!

    YES, THERE WAS THE USUAL DRAMA OF THE RESTAURANT DAILY LIFE.
    I SAW EVERYBODY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BOTH OWNERS, SERVERS GETTING DRUNK DURING THE SHIFT FOR FREE, BARTENDERS NOT CHARGING FOR DRINKS TO PRETTY LADIES AND GIVING FREE TABS TO THEIR FRIENDS AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, COOKS WORKING THEIR ASS OFF DRINKING DURING SERVICE AND BEFORE SERVICE DOING THEIR PREP WITH A BUD LIGHT ON THE SIDE, HEY THEY EVEN BROUGHT THEIR OWN CLAMATO TO MIX IT ON SATURDAYS BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL HANGOVER AFTER FRIDAY SHIFT !!!

    I SAW BARTENDERS TAKING CASES OF BEER AND WINE AFTER CLOSING AND INVITING US TO THEIR HOME TO KEEP THE PARTY GOING.

    I SAW SERVERS TAKING BOXES OF FOOD TO GO SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO BUY LUNCH THE NEXT DAY, OR EVEN TAKING RAW STEAKS AND SHRIMP HOME.

    BUT THAT WAS NOT ONLY THE END OF IT, THEY SAY SHE HAVE DRUG ADDICTION, … MAYBE, I’M NOT SURE, BUT WHAT I’M SURE IS THAT EVERY EMPLOYEE I WORK WITH WAS GETTING HIGH IN THE WALKING COOLER OR IN THE SERVERS DRESSING ROOM, I SAW THEM BUY THE WEED OR COCAINE TO THE COOK WHO’S SUPPLY THEM WITH WHATEVER THEY NEEDED AS THEIR OWN LITTLE MEXICAN DRUG DEALER.

    AND YES, I DID MOST IF NOT EVERYTHING OF WHAT I DESCRIBE IN HERE (EXCEPT FOR THE CASES OF BEER OR FOOD OUT OF THE RESTAURANT) AND I WASN’T THE ONLY ANGEL AND HONEST PERSON THERE.

    BUT AT LEAST I DON’T TRY TO SAY SHE’S THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST, AND I WAS THE POOR UNPROTECTED EMPLOYEE SHE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF.

    THE ONLY THING I HAVE LEFT TO SAY IS THAT IF SHE DID WHAT SHE DID IT WAS BECAUSE SHE COULDN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
    PEOPLE ONLY LIKE THEIR BOSSES UNTIL THE BOSS ACT LIKE WHAT HE IS, THE BOSS.

    IF YOU WANT TO STOP A BAD HABIT IN YOUR BUSINESS THEN YOU ARE THE THE DEVIL, BUT BEFORE WHEN YOU LET THEM DO WHATEVER THEY WANT AND COME AND GO AS THEY LIKE, THEN YOU ARE THE BEST BOSS THEY EVER HAD.

    NOW I’M READY TO TAKE WHATEVER COMMENT YOU HAVE FOR ME.

  12. Hearne Christopher says:

    Me first…

    Wow, gutsy

  13. TV Land says:

    Seriously… this was a great episode.
    VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED ABOUT KEYBOARDSSSSSSSSSSSSS

    http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/JardinesChops/FULLOFSHITHOUSE.jpg

  14. ex-Jardiner says:

    Dear “Former Employee”. Thank you, I was wondering how long it would take for Beena to figure out that she should probably have one of her buddies claim something as a “Former Employee”. Gosh, took her long enough to figure that one out. Strange that out of all the message boards, media, and facebook you’re the ONLY ex-employee that experienced these things?? Strange… Nice try but I think everyone knows what’s up.

  15. George says:

    SLANDER
    How dare you pieces of shit use this public venue to slander ALL of the former employees of Jardines. That is total Bullshit. These people are out there looking for jobs and you are hurting them with this.

  16. George says:

    This website is losing credibility as it allows glazer to fake post positive things about himself, while deleting anything negative about him. Are you all sure that is the way you want to operate? Is it time to call the businesses who advertise here and discuss it with them?

  17. chuck says:

    Beena is guilty of being human.
    Pay your employees the money!!

    Pay it NOW!!!

    That said, the “Former Employee” post, says it all!

  18. KenyaSpeaks says:

    Thank You for this version
    I work in retail at a clothing store. And the people who steal from the company are not the customers but the employees. Sad but true. We just fired two women who you would never think would steal. They took deposits and clothing.

    I have read your side and the servers side and as we all know, the truth is somewhere in the middle.
    The employees were stealing money from the door and the bar.
    And Beena has been in the business long enough to know when her restaurant is coming up short.
    Maybe she does have a drug habit and if so, she really isn’t trying to hear about anyone stealing her money.
    So being stressed and unable to trust the very people she hired to help her run the famous “Jardines,” she fired them all.

    In fact, I would have fired anyone that I thought was stealing. But it was hard to tell who was stealing.

    So because they were stealing, she probably did not have enough money to pay bands. She probably did not have enough money to pay the lease. And so that is why the employees and the bands are not getting paid.

    Also, sjnce she obviously believes that they stole, she is probably conducting and investigation and has her own attorney. I would not feel sorry for anyone who stole and the reality is that when you have that kinda money around you, you’d probably take some, too.

    Also, thank goodness you wroteabout her being a single Mom. From a single Mom who is doing it all, it is a lot of work. Those employees should count their losses and go find a job that pays at least minimum wage.

  19. Hearne Christopher says:

    Deleting anything negative about Craig Glazer…are you serious? Dude, get real. There are more knives sticking of of Glazer’s back on the site than anyone with your obviously limited math skills could even count.

  20. Meredith says:

    Single Mom?!
    Beena is NOT a single mother. I am a former “friend” of hers. The woman is whacked out of her mind, lonely, scared of EVERYONE and completely out of touch. That video of her looking coquettish in her bar while the media milled about says it all. I sympathize with those former employees (especially the ones that were hit by her…that’s never ok). But I feel sorry for her. She’ll never ever live up to her own personal expectations, much less those put on her by society. Such a sad little girl….sorry, sad little coked up girl.

  21. Hearne Christopher says:

    Huh? Beena a single mom? I don’t think so

  22. mason koncrete says:

    hotter than who
    Well I don’t think I will take the side of anyone who walks around like she is the king and yes she thinks she has balls and really only has about 15 to 20 different sentences to say they just come out in different orders such as I am hotter than Madonna that’s a pretty high pedestal to put your self on or wait the classic I am going to run for president haha so go on Greg defend away let me know how that goes for ya

  23. mason koncrete says:

    good job
    Nice Job see you found the caplock key beena

  24. David Hayden says:

    Let’s try this again
    (I could have sworn I left a comment here earlier. Don’t worry though, I will just take a screen capture of this one and make sure to post it on my blog to show that you are censoring rational dissent if it randomly disapears again.)

    What I am gathering from Mr Glazer’s comment here is that not only was every person who worked for him a thief, but all of the Jardine 15 were as well. I guess it could also be extrapolated that the 2.3 million tipped waiters as well as all of the doormen and bartenders are thiefs as well because people stole from Mr Glazer’s club. If you have ever been in the service industry, I am sure Mr Glazer would assume you were by defautl a thief as well.

    As someone who has spent the last 16 years in the hospitality industry, I am incredibly offended by this post. Imagine if someone said that everyone in your occupation was a thief as well. As someone who takes pride in my reputation, I am highly insulted by Mr Glazer’s attempt to call an entire industry theft ridden to protect the reputation of his friend. The more he speaks on her behalf the more clear it should be that team Beena lacks credibility.

    No charges were filed. No one was told they were being fired for theft. This is a story that was created by the the PR firm of Christopher and Glazer to try to defend their friend. Again,they are willing to trash the reputation of the fired 15 and hurt their chances of getting another job, as long as it makes their friends look good. It is a smoke screen and not a very thick one at that.

  25. joe says:

    whats the point
    So really what’s the point of putting this page together if you are just going to keep taking people’s post down cause it makes your Friend look bad haha all well

  26. Hearne Christopher says:

    Screen capture away. You can write what you wish on your blog, but I know of few web sites with any meaningful traffic that do not police their comments section.

    Instead of putting words in other people’s mouths – Craig’s in this case – since you seem to want to play the journalism game, why don’t you simply call him up and ask him if that’s what he meant?

    As for smoke screens, apparently mine was a little too thick for you. You actually think my original report on Jardine’s closing was favorable to the owner? She sure didn’t.

    My second post addressed that she intends to reopen and under what conditions. She declined to address the employee firings. That’s called news, guy. Try it sometime. Why don’t you trying calling her for a comment?

  27. Hearne Christopher says:

    There’s no shortage of Beena slams and Craig slams on this site. But as we have advised readers in the past, there are limits.

  28. harley says:

    NEW PITCH AWARD…MOST HATED PEOPLE IN KC
    in the last few weeks and in talking and listening to people in this city Hernia has become the most
    hated person in kc. right behind him is glaze.
    Actually i think they both are pretty cool and i could have fun partying with them some night but they
    are radio active right now. Everyone on the media biz is so pissed at hearne fro the stories on the
    weatherman. Everyone is pissed at glaze for his take on the servers in the city. Its not just a
    few people…i look for some serious blowback coming against both of them.
    And for the most hated woman…its not even close. Beenie takes that hands down. I’ve never
    seen a woman scorched in the media more than she has. She’s become to villain to every
    one.
    For beenie and glaze this has to hurt their business. I hope it doesn’t because the employees of those
    places will take the hit…but when you people come out and say things you do in public theres going to
    be ramifications.
    As for the party…no way i’m going to jardines. Too much drama. would not be suprised if former
    employees show with news cameras to get their money that was promised. The employees…many according
    to the stories…were long time employees and they now just got caught stealing. Doesnt seem right…somethings
    wrong.
    But as I told glaze when you write stuff like you do you become a lightning rod for negative comments.
    I wish all three of them good luck..as they say…when you live by the sword you die by the sword.
    Hearne….be careful. You have riled so many people up with those stores. I hope you stay safe.

  29. Keith says:

    and if you notice….
    hearne ONLY replies to negative comments… or he deletes them.

    Hearne you started this atttack on these innocent workers. Big mistake.
    It wil be interesting to see if you are ever able to admit you made a mistake
    offer an apology and retract your own words, versus only deleting comments which dont support you.

  30. Orphan of the Road says:

    It’s only $60 per person
    JEEZUB & Scrooge, Marley & Hearne, if this bar can’t keep it’s hired help from stealing them blind the why shit in the corn flakes and wonder why no one wants to sit down and have breakfast with you.

    Clazer’s comments have less credi-fucking-bility than harley in this manner. Yeah people steal in a cash business and in the past owners were raped. I always had to make my bank and shorts were taken than from my pay. Boss never said I was a thief nor implied all the people he hired were thieves. Now management dipping into the till for personal items and pleasures or taking advantage of the company, there are a million stories in this very naked city.

    Craig, I enjoy your shit but you didn’t help in this instance. Your tale of the ex coming forward years later was relevant. You came out as a friend, got clobbered for it. As they say in boxing make sure you have on your cup and protect yourself at all times.

    Hearne, take this however you want but you come off as cheap and shallow in this by accepting your gratuities before the ex-employees. You are concerned you are going to lose a few freebies, is that why you are still going ahead? To make sure you are the BMOC with the tab?

    It’s loser’s night at teen town bring your fake ID
    You know you’re never to young to be too old for me…

    chuck, see ya at The Point. Probably be the only one in the joint who looks like they didn’t have to be asked if they cleaned their room up before they left the house.

    We now return you to your regularly scheduled Infotainment…

  31. Orphan of the Road says:

    First graph, last post should read
    JEEZUB & Scrooge, Marley & Hearne, if this bar can’t keep it’s hired help from stealing them blind then why shit in the corn flakes and wonder why no one wants to sit down and have breakfast with you.

    THE EDITOR

  32. Hearne Christopher says:

    I’m not accepting any gratuities. KCC is not different from anybody else. We have pre-paid for our Christmas Bash, genius. And don’t think we’re not going out on a limb by not moving it.

    And again, the owner is now on the record that everybody will get paid, so let’s all see what happens.

  33. duh says:

    she no talkie
    “Why don’t you trying calling her for a comment?” because as you have said, she refuses to talk to anyone … except you. hmmm that’s weird.

  34. Hearne Christopher says:

    Isn’t it though

  35. Hearne Christopher says:

    Let me teach you a little something about journalism. When at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. She didn’t call me back for a week but I kept at it.

    I’ll tell you who isn’t returning calls now, the manager and the bartender who laid the whole story out for me when Beena was (foolishly) bunkering. They don’t want to take the chance that they’ll lose the spin about everybody being fired. Funny, huh?

    Say what you will about Beena – lots of people have horrible bosses – but there’s a huge difference between a mass firing right before the holidays and a mass walkout

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