National Features

  • Village Voice
    A Long Way Wrong?

    Another celebrated memoir threatens to blow into a million little pieces.

    By Graham Rayman
  • LA Weekly
    Hoop Dawg

    Billionaire Donald T. Sterling owns the L.A. Clippers and loves the ladies. And those are just two of his problems.

    By Patrick Range McDonald
  • The Pitch
    Children of the Porn

    Elvin Boone's sex-shop empire crumbles as his offspring feud.

    By Justin Kendall
  • Westword
    The Good Soldier

    When the Army tried to take down Andrew Pogany, they messed with the wrong coward.

    By Joel Warner

Ohlsen has made a name for himself as a mixed martial arts promoter and a Democratic Party consultant, though some now question those credentials. (See Chad Garrison's January 23 article "Phantom Punch.") "First and foremost," says Ohlsen in a voicemail message to RFT, "I would prefer not to be involved in any of your stories and I would appreciate [if] you guys would respect my privacy. Second of all, as far as Contemporary Foods goes, no, I have not invested any money in Contemporary Foods. Yes, I like the food at the restaurant, but as far as the service goes there, no comment."

Apazeller declines to comment on any arrangement he may have with Ohlsen.

On February 25, at about 2 p.m., Apazeller sent the staff home and locked up Red until further notice. Meanwhile its landlord, Jeff Edwards, had issued Red an eviction notice and filed a lawsuit demanding rent and possession of the premises. Edwards did not return several calls for comment.

Both Onstott and Apazeller vowed Red would return. Explains Onstott, "It's like Judge Garvey said: 'While you guys are arguing, Rome is burning.'"

Red has since reopened; Apazeller says he's in charge.

Contact the authorkristen.hinman@riverfronttimes.com

Write Your Comment show comments (16)

  1. I am not a CROOK!!!!!!!


    RESPECT MY PRIVACY!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Skip Ohlsen — March 5, 2008 @ 03:39PM

  2. Very interesting article. It would seem there is more to this than meets the eye. Mr. Ohlsen does have a knack for finding himself in awkward positions. Is the Riverfront Times
    "out to get him"? He seems to think so. One would think a rational person would avoid putting themselves in such a position. I suppose you reap what you sow. I certainly hope the correct authorities are investigating these allegations. Thanks and kudos to the RFT, your publication is top shelf.

    PMLOL

    Comment by Kracker — March 5, 2008 @ 03:54PM

  3. ^^^^^^


    My attorney and I will see you in court!!!!!!!! NO ONE SPEAKS negatively about SKIP OHLSEN!!!

    Kristen Hinman, I don't like you!!!!!! So there.

    Comment by Skip Ohlsen — March 5, 2008 @ 04:01PM

  4. ^^^^^^


    My attorney and I will see you in court!!!!!!!! NO ONE SPEAKS negatively about SKIP OHLSEN!!!

    Kristen Hinman, I don't like you!!!!!! So there.

    Comment by Skip Ohlsen — March 5, 2008 @ 04:02PM

  5. People sell and use Cocaine at 'Red'?

    I, for one, am shocked.

    Comment by J H — March 5, 2008 @ 05:42PM

  6. This is to serve as another attempt to notify you (Milton H Ohlsen 3rd) that I have yet to receive my w-2 for 2007 or for 2006 for that matter. Please comply with federal law that requires said tax forms to have been post marked by January 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. Additionally you’ve had sufficient time to remedy my lack of payment for May 2007’s payroll. Feel free to use the self addressed stamped envelopes I sent to both your and your attorney, Jeff Witt’s, office.

    Comment by Pete McElligott — March 6, 2008 @ 03:40PM

  7. 1099 as always, PUNK!!!

    Comment by Skip Ohlsen — March 6, 2008 @ 08:25PM

  8. Well, lets see... in 2004 it was a w-2 and in 2005 it was a w-2. No I think It's a w-2 as always

    Comment by Pete McElligott — March 6, 2008 @ 09:18PM

  9. Funny thing . business ethics seem to be lacking . I would not play into this scenario. wonder who skip is paranoid about this time perhaps he will try to sue the universe for his own existence next. I know for one i would not want to be in his shoes, one can only hope the correct authorities investigate all this cocaine talk in the article. I bet they hit the motherload if they do , just my opinion. Drugs/ convicted felon / guns?? simply amazing it has been allowed to go so far..

    Comment by kracker — March 6, 2008 @ 11:12PM

  10. It's a shame what has happened to RED....I really like that place and the food. I know what has been going on with the situation with Derek Onstott. I have seen him myself act out of control a few times while I was there for dinner and drinks. The people that live here on Washington street know all to well about the actions of Mr. Onstott and most of us have stayed away because of this. I also have known Kirk from coming in there and he has always acted professional and polite. I read this article and its obvious that Mr. Onstott false accusations of Kirk are just an attempt to make him look better. I hope things get resolved and we can enjoy the restaurant again.

    Comment by Rob Stevens — March 13, 2008 @ 06:21PM

  11. That place sucked anyway. Fake wanna be nightclub/restaurant hoodlums that have a little cheese. My take is that they will shoot eachother before this is all over. Red is the color of blood. Another one bites the dust... good for them. They should have made sure they had their ducks in a row before they even set foot into this type of business. THATS why they and many other places WILL fail.... pityfull.

    Comment by Downtown Charlie Brown — March 14, 2008 @ 10:16AM

  12. @ Rob Stevens -

    So you contend that Kirk is innocent? Kirk doesn't use illegal drugs in the club? He doesn't have specific knowledge of patrons and employees alike using drugs at the club? Specifically, which accusations of Mr. Onstott do you claim to be 'false'?

    Do you deny Mr. Onstott's significant investment in Red?

    Derek may not be Mr. Innocent, but I doubt anyone is. From what I read in the article they opened a club - predominetly with Mr. Onstott's money, very little coming from Kirk - and they fueded and as a result the minority investor wanted Mr. Onstott out. Please. If Kirk doesn't like it, being that his investment is so small, perhaps he should hit the road. If you or other Wash Ave regulars don't like Mr. Onstott, then don't go to his club - simple.

    Also, in my estimation, feuds like this are inevitable if a business has any connections to the drug culture and it's being ran by people with connections to the same.

    Comment by J H — March 14, 2008 @ 11:16AM

  13. Okay this article is completely and totally ridiculous! I currently work at RED and I am completely and totally on the side of Kirk Apazeller because I know that Kirk himself doesn't do what Onstott is claiming yet even remotely close. Kirk is one of the most professional and successful self-made businessmen I have ever met. He has always conducted himself with dignity and respect, especially to guests in our restaurant. I dont know has legality over the restaurant but I know for a fact that Kirk deserves it hands down. He is a gentleman and respects the staff with utmost consideration.

    I also have seen personally when Derek was there prior to having a restraining order on him for violence acts towards the restaurant and even busting out the back door glass, he was in the kitchen and trying to fix food without washing his hands and even after licking some food he got on them, still prepared the food and touched it with his bare hands. That is NOT professional NOR is it good for cleanliness and health standards.

    Kirk is a good businessman and my boss. Derek has disrespected me personally on several occasions and has always talked down to almost everyone I have seen. He belittles people and isn't nice by my standards. Respect is earned not given, and Kirk has earned mine completely.

    RED has some of the best food in downtown and I would not let something that has been in the past misdirect people from extraordinary food and excellent service. Come in I promise you amazing service.

    John Stinekraus

    Comment by John Stinekraus — March 15, 2008 @ 01:18AM

  14. and on another note,

    there has NEVER been drug use by any of the staff during or on the premises of the work, neither by myself nor Kirk nor any of the chef's or wait staff. completely ridiculous statement. Derek does drugs himself for fuck sake, seriously if someone is gonna call out someone on drug use they need to check themselves first.

    UGH Kirk i will only work for you at RED no one else.

    Comment by John Stinekraus — March 15, 2008 @ 01:26AM

  15. @ John Stinekraus

    Unfortunatley for Kirk, popularity does not equate to ownership in this country. Ownership should not be, is not and will never be a popularity contest - imagine the consequences of a society built on the rules of high school. That seems to be what you propose. You like Kirk - therefore, he should get ownership and control of Red?

    Derek's money means it is Derek's club, period. If you, Kirk or anyone else doesn't like the way he runs or acts in his club - then don't go there.

    Comment by J H — March 15, 2008 @ 10:38AM

  16. Milton "Skip" Ohlsen the convicted drug dealer involved in a nightclub that owners and management are alleging drug use and sales are regular activities.

    Curious.

    Perhaps we should investigate.

    Comment by DEA — March 21, 2008 @ 10:45AM

About Us | Work for Riverfront Times | Esubscribe | Free St. Louis Classifieds | National Advertising | Privacy Policy
Problem With the Site? | RSS | Site Map
©2008 Village Voice Media All rights reserved.

Riverfront Times Insiders

  • Local food, music and news blasts
  • Free Stuff

buy, sell, trade (4,117)
musician (439)
rentals (4,030)
jobs (2,427)
adult entertainment (1,117)
NOW CLICK THIS