Chicago strip club gets neighborhood award for cleanliness

CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago strip club has received an award for its efforts at dressing up the neighborhood.

The Admiral Theatre on Chicago's northwest side received one of Albany Park Neighbors' six "Block Star Business" awards this week. The group's website says the honor is meant to spotlight businesses that work to keep the neighborhood clean and presentable.

"It's difficult to dispute the Admiral doesn't deserve the award," group member Shylo Bisnett said. "They recently upgraded their façade and even during construction it was still tidy, it was still passable."

Nick Cecola, the Admiral's creative director, said he thought it was a scam when he received an email informing him about the award.

The club plans to showcase the certificate in the main lobby.

"We're actually getting it framed," he said, adding that the club has someone "always keeping everything clean, walking up and down the sidewalk, making sure they sweep, keeping the whole block basically immaculate."

Community members nominate businesses and winners are selected via Facebook votes, Bisnett said.

Alderman Rey Colon approves.

"The Admiral Theatre stands out on Lawrence Avenue as one of the most attractive and well-maintained buildings in Albany Park," Colon told the Chicago Sun-Times.