COLE COUNTY - A Cole County prosecutor says one "Juice Bar" owner outside of Jefferson City has been selling more than cool drinks.
The owner has been selling sex, too.
The prosecutor hopes a judge will shut down the business for a year.
Shakel's Secret has recently been a hot topic among its neighbors. Cole County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Michael Barnard March 1 on felony prostitution charges. Now prosecutors want to shut down his juice bar and adult store.
"If we're successful, that would mean the entire business premises will be shut down for up to one year," said Mark Richardson, Cole County prosecutor.
On 403 Arden Drive, there are two signs. The first is for the Juice Bar, but the second one is lit up for the adult business. Neighbors say when Barnard got out of jail, he simply reopened his shop in their backyards. Barnard's attorney says the only thing his client is guilty of is an unfortunate location.
"I understand that Mr. Barnard's business may be undesirable to some of his neighbors, but his goal has always been to operate within the law," said Dan Dodson, Michael Barnard's attorney. "He has conducted his business in such a way that other than the mere fact of his existence, he's given no problems at all to his neighbors."
The Cole County prosecutor wants a judge to say the Juice Bar and adult shop is a "nuisance business", and claims Barnard used the property for prostitution activity and committed liquor law violations. He says shutting down Shakel's secret would be good for more than just the neighbors.
"This is something that the community wants done, not just the community members that live near this business, but our entire Cole County community will benefit if we are able to be successful in this civil injunction," said Richardson.
Shakel's Secret may be out soon.
Michael Barnard declined to comment on the new case against him and neighbors also declined interviews, but say they're glad someone is trying to put a stop to Barnard's business.