Mysterious Binghamton Store Evicted from Clinton Street Property

A business that sparked concern among some people who lived in a Binghamton neighborhood has left a First Ward building.

The operators of the shop at 350 Clinton Street that billed itself as "Memberz Only" have been evicted from the property.

Nearby residents started asking questions when the business popped up early last year in a building where the notorious 17 East nightclub had operated before it was shut down by authorities.

Some were concerned that an after-hours business was operating at the site because they observed people coming and going early in the morning.

A Binghamton zoning officer stopped by the place after a city councilman contacted him. Based on that inspection, it appeared an unlicensed marijuana operation was being run at the site.

When a reporter paid a visit, a store employee declined to answer questions about the nature of the business or what was being sold there.

Last Tuesday, the Broome County Sheriff's Office posted a notice on the entrance to the establishment advising the business operators that they had been "legally evicted."

Braham Berg, the property owner, confirmed the eviction had occurred. He said the business owners had told him they were planning to operate an exotic food or clothing store.

Berg said he is working to find two more tenants for the building.

Attempts by WNBF News to contact the man and woman who had operated Memberz Only were unsuccessful.

The 17 East nightclub reopened after a police raid resulted in the arrest of 14 people. Police had said members of a gang that distributed large quantities of drugs had been hanging out at the place.

The building was struck by bullets in a September 2013 drive-by shooting. A city court ordered the place locked down the following April.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.