Attorney General’s office says Reign Bar has responded to nuisance letter
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Attorney General’s office says Reign Bar has responded to Catherine Hanaway’s letter from last week addressed to the establishment.
ABC 17 News asked for a copy of the letter, but a spokesperson at the AG’s office said they would not provide the letter.
Hanaway sent a letter to the business last week, asking it to address “nuisance conditions.” Reign Bar was previously targeted by University of Missouri System President Mun Choi, who warned students to avoid the area.
The group Race Matters, Friends held a press conference today to address downtown public safety governance, municipal accountability and the recent scrutiny Reign Bar has faced.
RMF Vice President Traci Wilson-Kleekamp said on Monday that the AG’s letter puts blame on the business, when the crime is not actually happening inside the business.
“And also putting the blame on business owners when there’s nothing happening in their businesses; it’s happening on the streets,” Wilson-Kleekamp said.
A number of incidents have occurred on East Walnut Street since July that caught attention of community members. In late July, a large street brawl resulted in seven arrests. About two weeks later, in August, shots were fired in the same area. In September, a man assaulted a security guard in the same area as well.
City of Columbia spokesman Christopher Ave previously told ABC 17 News that the area has been the site of early morning gatherings before Reign Bar opened.
Reign Bar opened in October 2025, according to business information filed with the Secretary of State’s Office. In August 2025, Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude had noted a “hot spot” for gun violence shifted from the 900 block of East Broadway in 2024 to the 800 block of Walnut Street in 2025, previous reporting shows. Multiple incidents were reported in the 700 and 800 blocks of East Walnut that spring and summer.
As for the next steps in the matter, Wilson-Kleekamp claims it is in the city’s hands
“It’s pretty intense. We need to understand what’s driving violence. I can tell people I can recommend books to read, but apparently, until our municipal administration takes it seriously and until the council holds them accountable, there will be no change,” Wilson-Kleekamp said.
Wilson-Kleekamp went on to say that the group will continue holding these press conferences and spreading awareness about the need for safety until there is change for the better.
“So the questions we need to ask as citizens is, if I don’t like homelessness, why would I be okay with cutting things that would make it worse, right? If I’m concerned about the jail, why would I cut $1 million from the municipal court?” said Wilson-Kleekamp
ABC 17 News reached out to the City of Columbia for comment regarding the press conference. A city spokesperson declined to comment directly on the conference, but stated that the city treats all businesses fairly.
The group said that all City Council members were invited to the meeting, but none appeared.
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