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Some people have a knack for creating controversy. Call it a gift, or call it a curse. Either way, it gives journalists and lawyers lots of career opportunities.
Perhaps Des Moines' most infamous rabble-rouser is Larry Smithson. To some, he's a no-good, two-faced, money-hungry troublemaker. To others, he's the one guy in the entire city who seems to know how to have fun.
But his entry into the bar scene as innocent. He just had always wanted to run a bar. And running his own business was in his nature. A graduate of Lincoln High, Smithson started his first business right out of school by running a janitorial service. Since then he's also run a contracting company with his dad. He still runs a limo service, car service and runs three bars. The first he started four and a half years ago, the old Scotty's at 214 Third Street.
Success followed. His club was like those found...