[media-credit name=”Paula Waters, Staff” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]A first-of-its-kind hip-hop club had a quick opening in Chula Vista, but may leave just as fast.

Club Trendz had its grand opening this month, saving Southwestern College students the drive to the Gaslamp or Pacific Beach.

Owner Courtney Matthews created an entertainment group called Verbal Assault to handle security, bartending and pumping up the crowd on opening night at his new club at Broadway and Main Street.

Club Trendz is licensed to stay open until 4 a.m., two hours later than most clubs in San Diego County. It offered a 1 a.m. open bar to entice club-goers and locals, but the offer was cancelled due to poor attendance.

Matthews had a high expectation of 700-900 people for the grand opening night.

“I’d be happy with 500,” said Ben Brody, a Verbal Assault team member.

After 1 a.m. the attendance count was 85, probably due to the $10-$20 cover for an unheard of club in a remote area.

Over the Border, the nearest competing club, is a Latin club playing mostly rock en espanol and live bands. It is less than a mile away.

“For Chula Vista it’s pretty good,” said SWC Student, Karlos Santiago. “I’ve been to other places around here and it’s pretty dead compared to here.”

On opening night Club Trendz was surrounded by tricked-out cars and trucks from Audio Excellence. There were a handful of LCD televisions and barstools against the white walls. In front of the dance floor there was a projection screen playing music videos that did not match the music being heard. The screen also blocked DJ Big Rome.

There was a VIP section separated by a curtain, with sofas and another projection screen with a live Twitter and Facebook feed. The feed lacked updates.

Matthews is an active duty Marine and Verbal Assault is made up of active duty and reserve military. The club may be pigeon holed as a military club, but with more advertising it may become more diverse.

Matthews said he is determined to build Club Trendz into a Chula Vista landmark, but more work needs to be put into advertising and customer satisfaction.

Verbal Assault photographer Gene Arcilla said he is optimistic that the team has a winning formula.

“We felt that us folks in the Chula Vista area shouldn’t need to travel all the way to PB or Downtown,” he said. “So we’re bringing the fun down south.”