Posted on 04/29/2015 1:18:48 PM PDT by Wolfie
"No Hanky Panky Going On": Illinois Bar Owner Defends Two-Way Mirror in Women's Restroom
A bar owner in suburban Chicago is defending the years-long use of a two-way mirror in the women's restroom with full view of the toilet. "This is a giant funhouse, ladies and gentlemen," Ronnie Lotz told reporters Monday evening. "I put a lot of heart and soul into this business, and I am sorry to tell you this, but there is no hanky panky going on in that bathroom."
The controversy surfaced when a comedian by the stage name of Tamale Rocks was performing a set at a bar in Chicago’s west suburbs when she visited the women’s restroom and noticed something strange – a full-length mirror directly across from the toilet.
Rocks opened the door behind the mirror and inside found a utility closet large enough to stand in. From the other side she noticed you were able to see through the mirror and into the stall at Berwyn’s Cigars and Stripes.
Shocked, Rocks recorded her findings and posted the video on YouTube. In less than 24 hours the video had garnered more than 70,000 views.
"Why, when I go into a public bathroom, when there's an expectation of privacy, am I having to do that due diligence? It's a bathroom!" Rocks told NBC Chicago.
Many women questioned by NBC Chicago were uncomfortable with the idea of the mirror, and some reported that they were not aware of the two-way mirror at all.
The owner of Cigars & Stripes, located at 6715 Ogden Ave., Ronnie Lotz, first told Gawker’s Jezebel that they have a two-way mirror in their restroom, and it’s been there for nearly 15 years, since since 2001.
In further comment to the publication, the bar's owner reportedly said the bar used to hang a witch's head in the closet as a Halloween gag so that women would look into the closet after using the restroom and "be all weirded out."
He invited people to “come see my mirror; eat my chicken wings,” adding that he enjoyed the attention from those outraged by the mirror because, afterall, he's "selling chicken wings.”
The bar has since shared Jezebel's article on their Facebook page. The owner told NBC Chicago that he has no plans to remove the mirror.
While many are outraged, others don't see the issue. "Ronnie is a great guy and he's not doing anything wrong," said Steven Cusek, a bar patron who said he goes once a week for the last 2 years.
"I'm kinda mad there's not one in the men's restroom," Cusek joked.
However, Rocks and others aren't laughing. While the bar owner maintains that no recordings were made, Rocks isn't convinced that a two-way mirror with a full view of the toilet is a good idea.
"I didn't see anyone, thankfully, at that point, there wasn't anyone," Rocks told NBC Chicago, "but there's nothing to say that there hadn't been in the past." The Berwyn Police Department is investigating.
anything else is discovered and he’s facing criminal and civil charges.
I met one of those guys in a room full of smoke.
IF you believe THAT, you must be a democrat...
That guy should be using a toilet in full view of Bubba, Mojo and Filipe
I was so sure you were going to talk about Tommy James and the Shondells BIGGEST hit “ I think we’re alone now, doesn’t seem to be any one around”
Wow, this guy has no clue at all.
I know because I watch, he added.
I wonder how many department stores have cameras other observation type abilities in the changing rooms.
I think that would be ‘Crimson and Clover’
LOL!!!! Barry: “Hell of an idea! Why didn’t you think of that Reggie? What am I payin’ you for anyway? Gotta be a men’s room here at the White Mosque we can get wired up for some late night video entertainment for us when we are gettin’ on with our righteous ‘down low’ action huh Reggie?” Reggie: ‘Dat’s right Bozz...I be rights on ‘id Bozz! Damn you be smarts Bozz.”
Crimson and Clover was a great recording. Along the same lines as Crystal Blue Persuasion. Both gentle, jazzy, and very spacey. Perfect ‘party’ records. The Extended Versions too.
At the Krazy Kountry Klub in Brooklyn, they had the womens bathroom miked. Was always fun to hear a couple of gals talking about their dates over the loud speaker.
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