Destin to review 'adult entertainment' ordinances

November 17, 2008

Fraser Sherman

Now that Destin has received its first request in at least a decade to open a topless bar, the city must review the rules governing "adult entertainment," City Councilor Dewey Destin says.

“We probably need to review those to bring them up to snuff on what the current status of the law is," the councilor said at Monday's council meeting. The council endorsed the idea unanimously.

Rocky Griffith, who owns the Oasis in Destin/Thai Delights property on Mountain Drive, has applied for a business license to open a topless bar there. City officials say the zoning at that spot doesn't allow adult entertainment, though Griffith could request a zoning change.

Section 3-2 of Destin's ordinances, which governs adult entertainment, is 20 years old. It prohibits nudity in bars, night clubs and any business "which sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises." The ban includes showing the female breast "below the top of the areola" and any exposure of genitals or buttocks.

City Manager Greg Kisela said the city would review the rules and report back.

For a play-by-play from Monday night's meeting, click here.

Topless bar application puts Destin in uncharted territory

November 15, 2008
Fraser Sherman

In the 10 years he’s been at Destin City Hall, nobody has proposed opening a topless bar in town, Deputy City Manager John Paton says.

That’s no longer the case. Ricky Griffith, who owns the Oasis and Thai Delights property on Mountain Drive, recently filed a business-license application to turn the Oasis into a topless bar, but it’s an idea that isn’t finding many supporters.

“The board hasn’t discussed it and rarely takes specific positions on individual businesses,” President/CEO Shane Moody of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce told The Log, “but with us trying to turn the harbor into a destination and festive marketplace for families, a strip club is not what we want to see there.”

Thursday afternoon, four women working at Harmon Insurance and Bonding, in the Destin Business Center next to Griffith’s property, said to put them down as “Four no’s ... totally against.”

A half-dozen men playing pool at Oasis that afternoon declined to answer The Log’s questions.

“I’m not going there,” one of them said.

Still, City Manager Greg Kisela said, it’s not surprising Griffith has applied: “If it’s commercially viable you’re going to have adult entertainment wanting to be here ... We’ve got 40 to 60,000 tourists during the 100 days of summer.”

Community Development Director Ken Gallander said the Commercial Trades and Services zoning on the north side of Mountain doesn’t allow for topless waitresses. The only zoning in Destin that would allow them is Industrial, which is found in two areas off Airport Road.
If the city turns down Griffith’s application over the zoning, he has the option to appeal to the Board of Adjustments, and to take a refusal to circuit court. Alternatively, he could ask the council to rezone his land to Industrial or to redefine Commercial Trades and Services.

Griffith signed the business-license application, but he told The Log that the topless bar is his lessee’s idea.

Norma Calhoun, the former manager of the Oasis, told The Log that Terry Stephenson of the Georgia strip club Pin-ups, had leased the property. The Log wasn’t able to reach Stephenson for confirmation or comment.

Site of Adult Book Store to Become Church

Site of Adult Book Store to Become Church

After two years of planning, the site of the former Apple Adult Book Store in Montclair will become the home of Mision El Redentor Pentecostal Church.

Adult shop issue felt across state

APRIL 18, 2008

THE CONTROVERSY surrounding the opening of a proposed adult shop close to a school in Proserpine has reverberated across the State.
Acting Premier Paul Lucas said the State Government would now review issues surrounding adult stores opening close to schools.
"The State Government will look at ways whether through changing state policies or strengthening council planning schemes to regulate how close to schools adult stores could be established," Mr Lucas said.
Director of Davy Lane Adult Shop Roley Jackson said he was surprised to a degree about the controversy surrounding his shop.
"It had to happen some time. I guess with all the controversy with the school it is not surprising."
Mr Jackson said he thought the uproar over his particular store would die down, but the overall issue of adult store locations wouldn't.....(read more)

Adam & Eve plans several more Mass stores

Adam & Eve Franchising, the retail division of adult products chain Adam & Eve, said several new franchise agreements have been signed for stores in Massachusetts.

The chain currently has three stores in the Bay State.

A development agreement has been signed by Ozzie and Sondra Figueroa for two stores that will be located in central/eastern Mass., according to a statement. Exact locations for the stores have not been determined yet, Adam & Eve officials said. The business owners already operate an Adam & Eve franchise store in Auburn, Mass.

An additional agreement has been signed for a store in the Quincy, Mass.-area, according to company officials. Franchisee Natale Frontino has signed a long-term area development agreement for eight additional stores to be developed in the south Boston shores area over the next 5 years. Numerous areas are being investigated, but no specific locations have yet been determined, Adam & Eve said.

Love Shack owner charged with contempt

John Cornetta was fined $500, given stern warning
By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/10/08

The owner of the Love Shack has been found in contempt of court for continuing to operate the sexually oriented business in the city of Johns Creek.


Owner John Cornetta was fined $500 and issued a stern warning by the judge: If the Love Shack continues to violate city rules on the sale of adult merchandise, Cornetta could go to jail, the store could be closed and a $3,000-a-day fine could be issued

"There has been a pattern and practice of not complying with this court and other bodies," Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville said. "If I tell them not to do it and fine them, and they still do it, then we go to the next step."

The store remained open Monday.

The ruling came Monday afternoon, after city officials claimed Cornetta was violating a court order issued Feb. 28 by Glanville. The judge's earlier written order said Cornetta couldn't operate a sexually oriented business at its Johns Creek location at Jones Bridge and State Bridge roads.

Cornetta was out of the country on vacation and couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

Cary Wiggins, Cornetta's attorney said that the store would try to comply, but said that pending litigation over the same store, filed in federal court in Fulton County, could reshape the whole case.

"We're certainly happy the court recognized what we've been saying for a long time that the Love Shack is an adult business," said Mayor Mike Bodker. "It is yet another victory in a long process." The city has been trying to close the business for about a year.

City officials have argued the site of the Love Shack is not zoned for adult businesses, and that Cornetta needed to move, change his inventory, or close.

Johns Creek wants contempt citation against Love ShackAtlanta Business Chronicle

Johns Creek, Ga., filed a motion in Fulton County Superior Court on March 7 seeking a contempt citation against a sex toy and adult video store, claiming the business is operating in violation of city ordinances.

The city said Love Shack at 10590 State Bridge Rd. was slapped with a permanent injunction in February that said the store could not do business in violation of city codes, without a business license or run a sexually oriented business in parts of the city not zoned for that use. After the injunction, city code enforcement officers visited Love Shack several times and reported the store continues to meet the city's definition of a sexually oriented business due to the percentage of its products that are adult in nature.

"Today we have presented our findings to the judge for his review," said Mike Bodker, Johns Creek mayor. "If he agrees with our assessment, then we are asking that he take whatever action he deems appropriate."

The city denied Love Shack a business license in 2007. The owner reapplied for a 2008 license on Feb. 26, but the city has not yet acted on the recent application.

Oakes Enters City Council Race Save Email Print

Staunton, Va.
Posted: 11:00 AM Mar 4, 2008
Last Updated: 11:00 AM Mar 4, 2008
Reporter: Keith Jones
Email Address: kjones@whsv.com

After pushing for an adult store ordinance in the Queen City, Citizens Task Force member Andrea Oakes has decided to run for Staunton City Council.

The former Staunton School Board member says she'd like to attract friendly businesses to the Queen City to boost their economy.

Oakes says she did not make the decision because of her efforts against adult stores in the Valley, which she admits could either help her or hurt her chances come election day.

"One thing it did show the community is I'm a leader that's proactive rather than reactive," says Oakes. "I am a leader that has foresight and can see what's down the road and what we need to do to protect the integrity of this city."

Up to this point, Oakes is running against Russell Ashby, Bob Campbell, Ophie Kier, as well as former council members Dickie Bell and David Metz, for four seats in the chamber. The Staunton Registrar says the deadline to qualify is 7 p.m. Tuesday.