BESSEMER, Alabama -Bessemer police on Saturday shut down Gip's Place, a blues juke joint that has been in operation for decades in a tin-roofed garage.

Bessemer Deputy Police Chief Mike Roper said it was an issue of running an illegal business, but he could not comment further. He said more information might be released Monday.

According to a post on the Gip's Place Facebook page, police arrived at the lounge at 10:15 p.m. Saturday to end the backyard blues parties hosted by Henry "Gip" Gipson.

"Of course, Gip is very upset over the actions that the city he calls home and has heavily supported has taken this action against him," the post states.