It is not very often that an opportunity makes itself readily available to
you.
Actually, it is next to impossible to get the chance to work for a company that
will offer you a job when you have little or no experience. Then, to eventually
receive on-the-job training and a promotion to a manager's position within that
organization is very rare. In fact, it's a proven statistic that corporations that
generate millions only believe in hiring people with college degrees.
Back in the mid 90's, I got an opportunity to take a job that would eventually
change my life and put me in the position in which I am today. Even though it's
been nearly six years since I left Club Alex's, I am honored to tell you the story
of this small club in Stoughton, Massachusetts and its owner, who deserves to
be recognized for both his insight and his ability to create an establishment that
has become a legend. I am proud to say that this was where I got my start in
this ever-changing adult business.
George Alexopoulos, Gigi to his friends, was an officer in the Air Force back in
the early 70's. He was chairman of the Fairchild Shop Committee. Giving instructions
and training people for their duties was second nature to him. Gigi received a call
from his father one afternoon was asked if he could take some leave time he had
saved up to come home and help run a club his dad had purchased. He was told it
would be just until things got up and running. That was a decision that would change
the adult entertainment industry in Boston, and its surrounding areas, for years to
come. Gigi never looked back.
Alex's was established in 1975. It was originally a Go-Go bar complete with live
bands and dancer's cages. This 3,800 square foot club was one of the most popular
clubs around and filling the 200 plus facility every weekend (starting Thursday nights)
seemed easy. Gigi's rule of thumb was not to do things the way other clubs did. Give
the people something they can come to watch and enjoy; money and success
would follow.
For five years, Alex's featured all the best live music; there was actually a waiting list
to play in the club. Pulling in talent from all over New England to perform at Club
Alex's began to be a weekly chore. As the out of state bands started to come to
play, so did the out of state entertainers. Before long, Alex's started having its
own in-house feature entertainers. These girls would perform shows for the audience
on a nightly basis. Remember we are talking about back in the 70's, so this was not
a normal thing. (That is, unless you were from Las Vegas and were used to
seeing the high-end showgirls.) At that point, it only seemed natural that in order
to bring in the new entertainment, you'd have to move the entertainment you had.
Alex's began to start calling other establishments to get their "house features"
to appear in various clubs. Sound familiar? Yes, back in the mid 70's, Alex's was
actually one of the first talent agencies established in the area. The funny thing was,
it was only done to keep the entertainers working and ensure that the entertainment
was on the cutting edge.
Then in 1980, Gigi happened to catch a segment on the Phil Donahue show, which
was featuring a new concept in the adult entertainment business: "Male dancers".
Gigi thought to himself, "Hey, if it works out in California, it can work right
here".
The very next day, Alex's posted its first audition for house male dancers. In less
than a month, three revues were formed and Alex's cranked out an amazing 12
shows in three days, packing the house at every show. This went on each
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night for the next 2 years. Not a single weekend
was missed and every show had a sold out crowd. The dancers would come in
the morning, before the club opened and practice the revue until the club opened.
If you didn't know how to dance, that wasn't a issue, Gigi didn't have problem
training you himself... Did you read that correctly?? Gigi would train you himself.
Let me tell you something, I know from my experiences as a male dancer, there
were times when having someone train you or show you a routine, could definitely
come in handy.
Ok, how do you top that? Let's see, you have very talented in-house features
performing shows, and you have three trained and choreographed male revues
at your disposal. To most club owners, that would have been more than enough to
satisfy their accomplishments, but to Gigi, it meant that it was time to be one of the
very first clubs to feature a weekly Jack and Jill night. In 1982, Alex's launched its
first Jack and Jill revue. The shows sold out in hours, usually weeks in advance.
The formula for its success seemed simple. For the price of a ticket, you could
have both male and female entertainment, champagne, food, and dancing til 2 a.m.
Those were the ingredients behind all the success this club had had to date.
Give the people good entertainment at a good price, and they'll keep coming back.
Presently, Alex's books XXX film stars, magazine models, and has 50 to 250 girls
perfuming any given week. They have everything from shower shows, to bachelor
party packages, to a variety of food and alcohol. If it sounds as though I am partial
to this club, it's because I have seen a lot of establishments during the three years in
which I have owned this magazine, and the more I see the more I appreciate all the
things that Gigi taught me while I was working with him. He is someone that deserves
recognition. I have been gone from Alex's for almost six years now, and I found that
when I went back this past August for this article, every one of his current managers
and assistant managers were there when I started, and some were there even before
I was. I don't care who you are in this business, or how many clubs you happen to
own, to have an entire staff that has been with you for eight plus years is a hell of an
accomplishment of which to be proud.
Gigi is a true innovator in this business and I consider myself very fortunate to have
learned the things I have from him. It's an honor to know him and he can be proud to
know he has created more than just a job for his employees. Which in the here and
now is unheard of. Club
Alex’s… let the Legend live on.
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