Love Shack owner applies for license, buys time

By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/28/08

In a written order issued Thursday, a Fulton Superior Court judge told the owner of an adult video chain that he may not operate a sexually oriented business at its current Johns Creek location, and that he must have a regular business license or close his store.

But John Cornetta, the owner of the Love Shack, bought himself more time by applying for a regular business license on Tuesday. The application carries a grace period of up to 30 days in which a business, including Cornetta's, can operate without a license while the application is being processed.


If city code inspectors find the store exceeds one of the thresholds used by the city to define a sexually oriented business, the city would ask the judge, Ural Glanville, to enforce the order, which could include closing the store or fining Cornetta — or even jailing him for contempt.

"He is still subject to the judge's order on not operating a sexually oriented business," said City Attorney Bill Riley. "I believe the defendant will follow any orders issued by a judge."

Cornetta's attorney, Cary Wiggins, said in a document filed with the court this week that the judge's order fails to take into account First Amendment issues, which could signal another lengthy court battle, during which the store may remain open.

Thursday's order by Glanville represents a major victory for the city of Johns Creek, which has long argued that the Love Shack located at Jones and State Bridge roads is a sexually oriented store operating illegally in an area not zoned for adult businesses.

"It's an absolute, total victory," said Mayor Mike Bodker, "but it's one step in a long process. It's winning a battle, not the war. It's a big battle. He's at the end of a rope, holding on to the knot, and it's about to slip."

New ordinance awaits public inspection

Published February 27, 2008 10:38 pm - A new ordinance governing city parades, public assemblies and the use of Meadville’s Diamond Park moved two steps closer to becoming reality Wednesday night — and several new guidelines await public inspection.

New ordinance awaits public inspection


By Mary Spicer

02/28/08 —
A new ordinance governing city parades, public assemblies and the use of Meadville’s Diamond Park moved two steps closer to becoming reality Wednesday night — and several new guidelines await public inspection.


After first and second readings during Meadville City Council’s regularly-scheduled monthly meeting, the new ordinance, which officially amends Article 741 of the Meadville Municipal Code, will be available for public examination and comment. Council members are expected to give the ordinance final approval in March.

“Freedom of speech and association are among those precious rights guaranteed and protected by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions,” the amendment reads. “The purpose of this ordinance is to set forth the circumstances under which the city will regulate First Amendment activity.”

New restrictions on the use of the Diamond Park Gazebo include:

n No person may use the gazebo to the exclusion of others without first obtaining a permit and paying the required rental fee.

n Only those persons with a valid gazebo permit may use the columns and rails of the gazebo itself to display bunting, signs, symbols, flags or things of that nature.

n The permit holder must remove all such items or pay any costs incurred by the city for removing of any items or repairing any defacement or damage.

n The permit application must include a detailed description of any items intended for display on the gazebo.

n No person shall be granted more than four permits in any 12-month period.

The proposed ordinance defines “Core First Amendment Activity” as including “all expressive associative activity intended to communicate an opinion or to state a grievance” but not including “such activities as pet shows, ethic food festivals, art shows, civic holiday celebrations and similar events.”

New restrictions on all parade, public assembly or Diamond Park Gazebo permits include the requirement that:

n Applicants seeking a permit not involving Core First Amendment activities shall file the proper application forms no less than 15 days and no more than 60 days before the proposed event “absent reasonable exigent circumstances.”

n Applicants seeking a permit that does involve Core First Amendment activities shall submit their application no less than four and no more than 60 days before the proposed event.

With the exception of the uses allowed under a gazebo permit, “no person shall make any use of the Diamond Park grounds or any monument or memorial within Diamond Park for the purpose of supporting or exhibiting any signs, symbols, flags or things of any nature or description whatsoever.” The city, however, can make any use of the park it wants “for public gatherings and observances sponsored and conducted by the city.”

The ordinance also includes a penalty clause calling for a fine of not more than $1,000 for violations. If the penalty is not paid, the violator “shall be imprisoned not more than five days.”

Judge: Love Shack lacks required license

Judge: Love Shack lacks required license
Close or comply, adult-themed store is told

By Doug Nurse
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/24/08

A Fulton County Superior Court judge last week handed the city of Johns Creek a significant legal victory over the Love Shack, an adult-themed store.

In his ruling from the bench, Judge Ural Glanville said the Love Shack doesn't have a required 2007 business license and must close if it does not comply with city ordinances.

The closure order doesn't take effect until the judge signs a written order, which could come as soon as Monday.

"We're happy with the judge's order because it vindicates that this business is operating illegally since the city's inception [Dec. 1, 2006] and brings us one step closer to either it operates in compliance under our laws or it closes its doors," said Mayor Mike Bodker.

In March, the city denied a regular business application sought by the adult-video chain owner, John Cornetta, but the store has continued operating anyway.

Johns Creek officials wanted a court order to shut the controversial store or make Cornetta comply with city ordinances.

Lawyers from both camps cautioned against drawing conclusions until the judge signs a written order, because the order could include important nuances.

Cornetta said he is in compliance with the city ordinance and will apply for a business license for the current year

Shut down the love shack store!

Shut down the love shack store!
it is perverted
February 23, 2008 | 09:21 AM

It is time to shut down the Love shack in Johns Creek. That kind of filth is not needed in north Fulton. People should not be buying or using the bizarre perverted "devices" these people sell. This is a Christian community and we must stop this kind of perversion from infecting our youth. With the community's help we can turn back the tide of this kind of sexual immorality and reclaim America for our Lord and savior.

Donald F.

Parents beware, the Love Shack may be closing!

For those of you outside the Atlanta area, the Love Shack is a store that sells adult items, you know kind of like an adult Home Depot with all those crazy things that adults buy. When the owner opened a store in John’s Creek, Georgia, just north of Atlanta, all hell broke loose! All those Christian wanna be’s, day care centers, politicians & jealous fat women complained about it. I’ve never been in one of these stores, so I don’t know what all the excitement is about? It’s quite funny that for years there was a Mexican restaurant on Hwy 141, near Johns Creek that was known for being an adult meat market and they weren’t serving or selling Filet Migon!!.And minors were roaming all over the place as mommy checked out her next boyfriend. But since this is an adult themed store, it can’t stay. I say let it stay! Why? Because, where are all those preachers, politicians, priests and fat women going to go to get their kicks? You better look out parents if your child is participating in sports or other related activities, do background checks on those adults that are always around? You just never know….

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Love Shack May Be Forced To Close

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. -- The Love Shack, the controversial adult business in Johns Creek, may be forced to close.

A Fulton County Superior Court judge has decided that the store cannot operate at its current location, because it does not have a 2007 business license, which is required by law.

The store would not be forced to close until the judge signs a written order, which could come as soon as Monday.

In March, Johns Creek officials denied Love Shack owner John Cornetta a business permit. Cornetta kept the store open despite the rejection.

City officials then sued Cornetta.

Cornetta has said he is obeying the law, and will apply for a 2008 business license.

Cornetta said Friday he will appeal the judge’s decision.

Judge Rules Against The Love Shack

(WSB Radio) The latest round in the fight between Johns Creek and the Love Shack goes to the city.
A Fulton County Superior Court judge has ruled that the adult store does not have a 2007 business license, as required by law, and must close if it does not comply with city code.

The closure will not go into effect until Judge Ural Glanville signs a written order. That could come as soon as Monday.

In March, Johns Creek denied a regular business application which was being sought by John Cornetta, owner of the Love Shack chain. Despite the rejection, Cornetta kept his Johns Creek store in operation.

City officials went to court, looking to shut the adult-themed store down unless Cornetta came into compliance with city ordinances.

Cornetta says he is complying with city code, and will apply for a business license for 2008.

Without that license, Judge Glanville says, Cornetta cannot continue to operate the Love Shack at its current location.

To obtain a regular business license, the contents of the store cannot exceed certain standards. If the inventory does, then Cornetta would need to apply for a sexually oriented business license. However, the store's location isn't zoned for that.

Cornetta says he's not concerned. He claims the inventory at the Johns Creek location falls below what would be deemed as sexually oriented.

Cornetta says he also plans on appealing Judge Glanville's ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court.

Love Shack

It is time to stop the silly harrassment
February 21, 2008 | 04:30 PM

I want to know when John Creek is going to finally give up trying to harrass the Love Shack and leave people alone. It is a shame and an embarrassment that the city continues to try and keep people from patronizing a shop that people clearly want to shop at. Our tax dollars should not be going to advance the deranged views of a bunch of prude hypocrites. I saw the wife of one of the city officials who is fighting against the Love Shack inside the store recently, buying stuff just like everyone else. It's time to end this insanity folks.

Jane

Citizen lawsuit against Johns Creek

Citizen lawsuit against Johns Creek
They are wasting HUGE $$$$
January 11, 2008 | 03:26 PM

I would like to see a citizen lawsuit against the council members and mayor of Johns Creek for wasting city money and time trying to shut down the Love Shack store. This is a stupid example of prudish government officials trying to violate the constitution and local laws to carry out their weird personal agenda. These people obviously have strange psychological hangups about sex, and they are spending huge amounts of taxpayer money trying to enforce their weird sexual problems on everyone else in the community. This should be stopped, and these unfortunate people should seek professional help for their sexual problems.

Rick Bristol