OLD TOWNE GREENWOOD, IL — Mayor Charles Henderson apparently isn’t a man who takes failure with grace — at least not when it comes to lingerie shops.Henderson had vigorously spearheaded an attempt to keep XO Paradise from opening in Old Towne Greenwood, IL and, after the city council chose to pass an ordinance which allowed for precisely that, Henderson’s displeasure continued to be made known.
“It is not the kind of business we want and I hope you are offended enough not to open,” announced to Michelle Kuntz during the meeting. “I don’t think the intention is to sell lingerie,” he concluded.
Henderson had contended that the business was likely to use its storefront to display sex toys and other items offensive and harmful to children and churchgoing Christians if it were allowed to open on Main Street, located in the area’s shopping district.
Although Henderson and two board members had promised to introduce an amendment to the city’s 1994 adult entertainment business ordinance during Monday’s meeting due to rumors circulated by local churches that Kutz planned to sell sex toys, council member Keith Harbin insisted that the ordinance was not directed at XO Paradise or Kuntz.
The ordinance, passed during the meeting, restricts adult bookstores and live entertainment venues from operating within 1,000 feet of churches, government buildings, parks, day-care facilities, residences, or schools. It also defines shops that carry sex toys as being adult businesses which fall under the law’s control and, like other adult businesses, would additionally need to obtain a $500 permit from the police department and city clerk.
Although Kuntz’ shop exists within 1,000 feet of a residential area, her shop opened four hours prior to the passage of the ordinance. According to Kuntz, she obtained her retail merchant license on November 15th.
In spite of Henderson’s insistence, Kuntz continues to state that her shop does not quality as an adult business. “It’s a lingerie store,” she told those assembled.
According to The Indianapolis Star, some city council members wished Kuntz success in her new business.
