Rick’s Cabaret to Open Upscale Club In Midtown New York City

NEW YORK—Publicly traded Rick’s Cabaret International has announced the acquisition of a second adult business in midtown New York City. The company said it plans to create a new gentlemen’s club on the midtown Manhattan site near Times Square. Rick’s Cabaret, which currently operates 24 clubs around the country, said it will pay $3 million for the business, which is currently operating as an adult book and novelty store. The transaction calls for a payment of $1.5 million in cash and $1.5 million in six percent promissory notes that are convertible into shares of Rick’s Cabaret common stock at a conversion price of $10.25. The company will also enter into a new 20-year lease for the building at the closing of the transaction. “It is virtually impossible to find an appropriate location for an adult club in midtown Manhattan, so we are very fortunate that we have secured this rare site,” said President and CEO Eric Langan. “It's close to Times Square, numerous hotels and businesses, and is ideal for the kind of upscale club we operate,” he added, noting that the exact location of the new club will be disclosed in due course. The new club is expected to open in about a year, after renovation of the building. The Houston-based company opened Rick’s Cabaret/New York in 2005 after completely remodeling a building at 50 West 33rd Street, across from the Empire State Building and down the street from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. With a Zagat-rated steakhouse, rooftop cigar lounge and a full floor of VIP suites it is a popular spot with businessmen, celebrities, athletes and couples. Playboy.com named it the “best strip club in New York.” For more investor information about Rick's, go here.