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Artist and gallery owner Loren Naji at his gallery.

(Courtesy Loren Naji)

Loren Naji, owner of the Naji Studio Gallery on West 25th Street, was shut down Friday night by an inspector for the Cleveland Fire Department for the lack of an occupancy certificate.

This was the second time in three weeks Naji's gallery has been shut down and cited for building violations.

Friday night, Naji had an opening at his studio gallery with about 50 people in attendance. No alcohol was served during the event. The attendees left peacefully.

Naji was cited May 2, when another opening was shut down by state liquor board officials for serving beer and wine without a permit, prompting an outcry in the arts world over whether law enforcement overstepped its bounds busting an art show, where wine and beer are commonly served.

Friday night, Cleveland Fire Department inspector James Ruffin was at the gallery to shut down the event.

"The bottom line is that Mr. Naji does not have a certificate of occupancy," Ruffin said. "I'm just doing my job."

After the crowd left the gallery, Ruffin further explained the violation.

"If you have a building in the city of Cleveland that is open to the public, there are certain safety guidelines you have to follow. That's why you need a certificate of occupancy. It requires you to adhere to building department codes relating to fire protection systems, electrical codes, storage spaces and exit signs. Mr. Naji had the time to be aware of these requirements."

Naji said he was in the process of obtaining the certificate of occupancy and was assured by a city official he could proceed with his event.