It's noon on a Wednesday and Michelle H. steps onto the wooden stage in a black thong, bikini top and black, shiny, stiletto heels. Dancers at Charlie's, with VIP seating and chilled champaign, have been known to shake it for charity, raising funds for a borough Thanksgiving feast and for children's groups. And since the Blair Road gentlemen's club opened in August, cars pack the parking lots nightly and patrons jam the dark, neon-enhanced interior for a peek at what some consider the area's finer dancers. D'Albis and his partner, Fred Castellano, both of Staten Island, took over the bar from its original owner last month.
Customers range from construction workers to local business owners to rich guys in suits.
Keeping things clean builds better business and keeps everyone on the job, dancers and bartenders agree. The high standards are only part of what makes Charlie's a good place to work, employees say. We're not just trash here to make them a buck,' she says. I actually look forward to coming to work. As the lunch crowd dwindles from a dozen to a few, John, on his way home to South Amboy after the night shift, orders another brew.