City of Jackson, MI Buys Strip Club: Keeders Show Bar’s Final Act

In a bold move that could make even the most seasoned headline writer salivate, the City of Jackson, Michigan, has purchased a strip club. Yup, you read that right. Keeders Show Bar, the long-vacant exotic dance club on the corner of S. Elm and Page Avenue, is now city property. For the Grammar Police: If you're wondering where the apostrophe in 'Keeders' is, it doesn't exist.

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But don't worry—Jackson hasn't suddenly decided to dabble in adult nightlife. It's all part of a bigger plan to clean up the east side.

Cleaning House on Jackson's East Side

Keeders, once a hub for entertainment that made little old ladies clutch their pearls, was dimly lit to hide many things, including, but not limited to, the lack of facility maintenance. It was that tarnished reputation (amongst so many other things) coupled with its location smack-dab in the middle of a residential area; this bar was never a neighborhood favorite.

The plan? Tear it down and make way for progress. According to the City of Jackson's Facebook page, the purchase and pending demolition of Keeders are key steps to revitalizing the Page and E. Michigan corridors. The city wants to replace blighted, problematic businesses with opportunities for growth, investment, and, dare we say, a brighter future. Strip clubs have their place, but not within view of someone's dining room.

Stripping Keeders Former Location Down to Nothing

To be blunt, the place was legendary for its stories. At a different time, going to Keeders was a rite of passage. From what was sold out of the backdoor (while I'm sure drugs were, that's not the story I'm referring to) to the rumor a child was born on stage, it's oddly sad to see the source of some outrageous but true stories come tumbling down. Once the wrecking ball or bulldozer does its thing, the Keeders lot will be transformed into green space. I'm sure the neighborhood won't miss the eyesore.

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With Keeders gone, Jackson's east side is moving closer to becoming more inviting to Henry Ford Hospital employees coming up Page Ave or the wealth of industrial complexes surrounding Elm. Bob's Take Out has made a living there and has been a Jackson 'Polish Town' favorite for decades. So, before you go full tilt blasting the City of Jackson for buying a strip club, rest assured it was for all the right reasons.