Neighbors Give Adult Showbar Mixed Reviews: Many Say "Not in my backyard."

WDEF-TV News 12 ^ | Aug 11, 2003 | Lauren Remillard

[new cruelty]

A Chattanooga neighborhood says they've got enough problems without a new strip club right in their back-yard.

But if the city approves it, Sugar and Spice will open on East 23rd Street in a little over a month.

News 12's Lauren Remillard shows us why this adult business is getting mixed reviews, In our top local story.

If the owner has his way, this building will soon be home to the new Sugar and Spice adult show-bar. It's zoned commercial, near businesses like Can Can Recycling on East 23rd Street. Owner Shirrell Majors says their operating hours won't coincide with his, so he's not concerned.

Shirrell Majors, Owner, Can Can Recycling "They say it's going to be an upscale operation, so I'll take them at their word."

But just a few blocks away, neighbors on 17th Street aren't so sure.

Michael Smith: "The hookers will be happy."

Michael Smith says it can't get much worse where he lives, the only problem he sees with the strip bar are its patrons wandering the neighborhood when it closes.

Michael Smith, 17th Street: "They'll probably come down the streets, because it's three, four blocks away."

That's exactly what worries Lara Bedwell.

Lara Bedwell, 17th Street: "It will just bring more drugs and prostitution into the neighborhood because people leaving there will look for satisfaction elsewhere."

These neighbors will get a chance to voice their concern to city council, but Lara Bedwell says she doubts the city will side with the residents.

Lara Bedwell:"Maybe everybody can pull together and get it stopped, but it's probably highly unlikely."

She tells News 12 with issues like these, businesses seem to have a louder voice than private citizens. In Chattanooga, Lauren Remillard, News 12.

People opposed to the show-bar can attend the city council variance board meeting this Wednesday morning at 10.

Owner Barry Hudson says Sugar and Spice will not serve alcohol, and will abide by all city ordinances.

[Chad Fairbanks]

"We all went down there, and checked out the show... but we didn't enjoy it. It was ummm... research... yeah yeah, that's it - research."

[Fledermaus]

Owner Barry Hudson says Sugar and Spice will not serve alcohol, and will abide by all city ordinances.

What bad reporting (not by you, the writer of the article). Of course they won't serve alcohol because it's ILLEGAL in Tenn to sell alcohol in strip clubs.

But it's not illegal to bring your own! lol

And Chattanooga, like all four big TN cities, has plenty of adult nudie bars, bookstores, escort services, massage parlors.......just like the rest of the country.

These complainers should be grateful it's in their backyard. Then their husband doesn't have to drive home drunk and risk getting arrested or having an accident! :-)

[new cruelty]

These neighbors will get a chance to voice their concern to city council, but Lara Bedwell says she doubts the city will side with the residents.

Because they CAN CAN CAN!

[PokeyJoe]

Gee, increasing economic activity and these people are having a cow. These hookers, strippers, and bartenders will be able to buy cars, computers, and hamburgers.

More power to 'em.

Be happy.

Life is good.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I hope this topless joint is following the law, and features a handicapped-accessible stage - I love those topless dancers in wheelchairs - woo-hoo!

[new cruelty]

I love those topless dancers in wheelchairs - woo-hoo!

Flashback 1993, La Zona Rosa, Reynosa, Mexico. That was a night to remember. I just wish I could.

[Old Professer]

For the life of me I can't figure out why these raunchy threads keep popping up and drawing the sort of respones they do when the gay-bashing threads rely on the same below-the-beltline focus but are populated by the most strait-laced among us.

Is there any air around here?

[Old Professer]

"Respones" should be responses.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Just proves again the market works. Anybody could have bought the place and started any sort of business they desired, but the one who stepped up to the plate wants to do this. The neighbors probably won't be able to stop this from opening if it's currently zoned for this type of use, their best bet is probably to determine the guy's price and buy it. That'll stop 'em every time.

Dave in Eugene

[new cruelty]

I don't understand what you mean exactly. What sort of posts are you referring to here and in the 'gay bashing' threads. Some examples might help.

[Old Professer]

This is supposed to be an intellectual meeting of the minds; a gathering of conservative stalwarts who think there is something in this current mess worth salvaging, but what gets the most attention? Smut, sex, both perverted and kinky along with marathon whinefests on the merits of evolution or the rightness of the two halves of this uncivil nation in the 1860's.

Half of the time I don't know if I am standing in the beer line or waiting for the prostatic sot in the men's room.

[breakem]

Reverend Ashcroft and his followers will be on the case soon.

[Old Professer]

As an example of "what I mean," go here

[Chad Fairbanks]

This is supposed to be an intellectual meeting of the minds; a gathering of conservative stalwarts who think there is something in this current mess worth salvaging, but what gets the most attention? Smut, sex, both perverted and kinky along with marathon whinefests on the merits of evolution or the rightness of the two halves of this uncivil nation in the 1860's.

Well, if it wasn't for Sex, there'd be no intellectual meetings of the minds - Everything else gets equal attention around here. Which reminds me - how do YOU know that the sex and smut threads get the most attention? Do you hang on them often? ;0)

[Old Professer]

I read practically all the threads.

[Chad Fairbanks]

;0)

[Do Be]

For the life of me I can't figure out why these raunchy threads keep popping up and drawing the sort of respones they do when the gay-bashing threads rely on the same below-the-beltline focus but are populated by the most strait-laced among us.

Really?

I admit I'm a little straight-laced when it comes to gay sex being rubbed in our faces day after day after day. Two guys hiding in the closet doing the old rump-a-dump don't concern me all that much.

A guy and a gal? I want pictures.

[rmmcdaniell]

This is supposed to be an intellectual meeting of the minds; a gathering of conservative stalwarts who think there is something in this current mess worth salvaging, but what gets the most attention? Smut, sex, both perverted and kinky along with marathon whinefests on the merits of evolution or the rightness of the two halves of this uncivil nation in the 1860's.

The number of posts on the sex threads usually remains below 50, compare this to the 500+ posts you typically see on many other subjects. Many of the worst get deleted eventually anyway. Furthermore, isn't the issue of whether or not adult business can set up shop in neighborhoods a concern of social conservatism? If you don't like the perversion in society, ignoring it will not make it go away.

In regards to your disapproval of the evolution/civil war threads, it is only natural that these subjects will consume a large amount of attention. These threads usually rack up the most post precisely because they are issues that conservatives disagree with each other on; therefore lengthy debates ensue. With most of the other important issues everyone here more or less agrees with each other. People aren't just going to be as motivated to post "Yeah Hillary sucks" and preach to the choir all day long. We read the articles and move on.