A tribute to Lucky and his lounge

A tribute to Lucky and his lounge

Todd Franko’s July 18 article was a fair and balanced report on a young African-American entrepreneur, local radio personality and co-owner of the downtown “Love Lounge” nightclub, which has not been overwhelmingly welcomed by some of his business neighbors. Other clubs and restaurant owners seem to be concerned about his unique clientele. Each club and restaurant in every city that wants to show growth has to be diverse: Italian, Irish, Greek or Asian, from barbecue, burgers, pasta, pizza, grape leaves, wings, sandwiches and all the liquid refreshments and cultural music that comes with that unique bill of fare.

Suburban revelers come into our city, and we welcome and want them to enjoy themselves. But the detractors or the “playa haters” profile the demographics that represent 48 to 50 percent of the city of Youngstown’s population as “urban,” “rap,” “black,” “hip-hop” and “gangsta” instead of as consumers. My wife and I, along with our “hip-hop” grandchildren, have dined at most of the downtown venues. We’ve lunched at the “Love Lounge,” where the fried cat fish is excellent.

Charles “Lucky” Penny Jr. does not resemble or represent the young African-Americans age 22-35 years old who unfortunately saturate the pages of this newspaper daily, who come from the black families that compile the 70 percent households of single mothers. There is a Mr. and Mrs. Charles Penny Sr. who work everyday and expect their son to do the same. He does not resemble or represent the 50 percent of African-Americans students who have dropped out of school or the plethora of young African-American males who do not financially support their sons and daughters.

Charles “Lucky” Penny Jr. has business skills, personality, talent and a family legacy to nurture. We all should allow him to grow, resemble and represent success.

Clarence Boles, Youngstown