Carson City Saloon owner says South Side violence an 'absolute nightmare'

Brian Vetere, co-owner of the South Side’s Carson City Saloon, said his decision to temporarily close the popular Pittsburgh bar has been mounting for two years.

“My staff is scared to death every time they come to work,” he said Tuesday. “So am I. My wife is terrified for me when I leave the house.”

There have been meetings about the ongoing violence in the neighborhood — meetings with the mayor’s office, city council and police officials. Vetere estimated he’s been to 50 meetings in two years.

Still, he said, nothing has changed.

The decision to close for awhile came after weekend violence near Vetere’s bar. Around 1 a.m., police found a man with a gunshot wound near the intersection of South 13th and East Carson streets. The man later died, police said. Vetere said the shooting occurred a block away from the Carson City Saloon.

There have been countless other fights and other shootings, he said.

“Until the city figures something out, or puts in a curfew for underage kids, I cannot continue to operate,” Vetere said. “There are young kids out here in the streets, under 21, smoking weed and drinking alcohol. It’s the wild, wild west.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office on Tuesday referred questions about the closing to Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz.

“Public Safety officials including Police and the Office of Nighttime Economy are in regular contact with the Southside Hospitality Partnership on ways to mitigate violence in the South Side,” Cruz said in a statement. “They have been working with them for years not only during large events like St. Patrick’s Day, but all year round to address emergent issues in the area.”

A year ago, Gainey walked the South Side streets on a weekend night and held community meetings with residents to search for solutions.

“I know violence destroys profit,” Gainey said at the time. “And I know public safety makes money.”

On Tuesday, he said nothing.

Vetere, who has owned the Carson City Saloon with his brother for 17 years, was not surprised by the canned response and lack of response from Gainey.

“They have done nothing to help the situation out,” he said. “Nothing. The mayor’s office isn’t doing anything to solve the problem.”

Sunday morning, he and his brother Frank made the decision to lay off their 10 staff members.

“They have to take care of themselves,” he said. “I told them to find other jobs if they have to.”

The bar might open for football season — it does good business for Steelers games and college football. Vetere is still unsure.

“This summer crowd has been worse than last summer, which is hard to believe,” he said. “We’re not making any money. Our clientele is afraid to come down here. It’s not worth it.

“It’s been an absolute nightmare.”