Bongz & Thongz opens in downtown Ann Arbor, reports $30,000 financial hit after city blocked sale of sex toys
The first level of Bongz & Thongz at 119 E. Liberty St. is stocked with glass smoking products and other accessories.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
But storeowners Kilo Hassan and Steve Aboula said their business isn’t yet living up to its name.
The walls in Bongz & Thongz — formerly called Bongs & Thongs — are stocked with smoking devices and other accessories, but because of an obscure city ordinance, the downstairs adult novelties portion of the store hasn’t opened.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
“We can’t sell our sex toys and it just defeats the purpose of our basement and defeats the name of the place,” Aboula said.
The plan for the 2,600-square-foot space, located at 119 E. Liberty St. in the former Liberty Street Video building, was to have a “head shop” on the first floor with an adult novelties portion downstairs.
After applying for building permits and an occupancy license, Aboula said he was given the go-ahead from the city to open the store.
However, as plans moved forward, the city put a “Notice to Stop Work” sign on the storefront, citing an ordinance from 1978 that restricts the products that can be sold by adult entertainment businesses downtown.
The zoning ordinance does not allow the sale of “devices of simulated human genitals or devices designed for sexual stimulation” in the D1 District of downtown if these amount for more than 20 percent of a business’ sales, according to city documents.
As the Bongz & Thongz owners were trying to get their occupancy license for the space, Aboula said he promised the city he wouldn’t sell sex toys, period.
“We gave them our word to make it easier for us to open,” Aboula said. “I didn’t want to go back and forth with the city at that time.”
He said his promise came just a little too late, though, and he’s now lost $30,000 from sex toy products he ordered but cannot sell in the Bongz & Thongz store.
“It sucks,” he said. “That stuff is just sitting there now collecting dust and I couldn’t return it without a huge restocking fee. We’re trying to build a website with a PayPal account so hopefully we can sell it online.”
With a 1,300-square-foot basement sitting empty, Aboula said he would have reconsidered opening the store in Ann Arbor if he had known he couldn’t sell sex toys.
“I love this location, but I would have thought of something else before jumping into this,” he said. “Maybe more of a smoke shop, like a hookah cafe or something.”
Aboula said his next step is to contact the city to see if they can come to some sort of agreement about the sale of sex toys.
“I can contact the city one more time and I’m having my attorney look in to it,” he said. “I don’t know where to go from here because I have more customers walking in here for the downstairs part than the upstairs.”
For the time being, Aboula said he’s ordering lingerie and Halloween costumes to stock the basement, but he hopes to come up with a new business plan soon.
“We’re still paying rent for downstairs,” he said. “We need to act quickly and utilize that space.”
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Karen King
Sat, Sep 17, 2011 : 6:15 a.m.
As the Bongz & Thongz owners were trying to get their occupancy license for the space, Aboula said he promised the city he wouldn't sell sex toys, period. "We gave them our word to make it easier for us to open," Aboula said. "I didn't want to go back and forth with the city at that time." What a moron. You don't expect to give someone your word just to get what you want. There's no logic with this store's owners. What, the rules don't apply to people who just don't want to abide? Makes no sense.
bunnyabbot
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 4:07 a.m.
I give the store 11 months tops. Limited product for a even more limited crowd. As for the sex toys they should stop complaining that they spent $30,000 on a product without knowing if they could sell them in the city. Lose 30 g or lose $6,000 when you pay the 20% restocking fee. (and whatever the restocking fee is you can usually NEGOTIATE the percent with the companies). it was a stupid idea for a store anyway.
snapshot
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 4:34 a.m.
Lots of stupid ideas have proven to be successful.......IBM thought the personal computer was a stupid idea too. Bill Gates bought the rights to that stupididea for 50K.
st.julian
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
He is a business perosn.He took the risk knowing that the city does not allow the sale of these devices. It appears he thought the risk was minimal. Wheter he losoes money, closes or stays opens are based on decisions he made. it would seem the landlord did not do their own due diligence. So greed from both the businessownere andlandlord prevail. HIs losing 3ok or 100k is not the city's problems, it's his for poor decsion making
jj45678
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
"With a 1,300-square-foot basement sitting empty, Aboula said he would have reconsidered opening the store in Ann Arbor if he had known he couldn't sell sex toys." Maybe this guy should have research local laws before opening a store. The law is stupid but so is the owner for not doing research.
UlyssesSwrong
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.
What a hilariously weird idea. As if the three shops in the walk-able radius selling bongs, pipes and other marijuana smoking devices weren't competition enough. Perhaps selling sex toys in the same location will make this store unique. Honestly if I were a marijuana smoker, I wouldn't know how to feel about asking for the big bong next to the dildo.
jns131
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
Cheap thrills on a rather big high. Both to get a thrill. Interesting.
SMC
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
The city ordinance only caught the owners by surprise? How about a little common sense on their part? Did it not occur to them to find out why there aren't any adult stores in downtown Ann Arbor, even though other cities this size would have at least one? Or, did they seriously think they were on the cutting edge, and that no one had come up with this winning business formula before them?
Carole
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
Frankly, I am not happy with this type of store -- but they sure did get a lot of free advertising with AnnArbor.Com I believe there are more important businesses downtown that could use free advertising..
Hmm
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
What's up with changing from "s" to "z", copyrights or something?
Derrick Forshee
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 11:11 a.m.
So how do you explain the safe sex store?
lugemachine
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
Simple: It's not in the D-1 district.
Basic Bob
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
Has our brilliant city attorney concluded that a retail store is an adult entertainment business? Once again publicly demonstrating he has no clue. Not like there are bad movies, a peep show, or a stage. That coffee bar in Brighton with the scantily-clad baristas would probably be shut down, too, if it were in Ann Arbor. Someone might have a stroke. But we would take their ridiculous statue.
jj45678
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
It's a 1978 ordinance. Was your "brilliant city attorney" even born then?
Kai Petainen
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.
would you bring a bong into Canada? <a href="http://www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca/parents/observe/drugs-drogues.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca/parents/observe/drugs-drogues.html</a> Section 462.2 of the Criminal Code addresses instruments for illicit use also known as drug paraphernalia. Under this section, it is a summary conviction offence to import, export, manufacture, promote or sell instruments for illicit drug use. An instrument for illicit drug use means anything other than a medical device (e.g., a syringe), designed primarily for consuming or facilitating the consumption of an illicit drug. An illicit drug is a controlled substance (e.g., marihuana) or precursor, the importation, exportation, production, sale or possession of which is prohibited or restricted pursuant to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Consequently, retail stores are not allowed to sell or promote instruments for illicit drug use. Retail store owners that sell or promote such instruments are at risk of being charged and convicted. The penalties are as follows: a.first offence, a fine not more than $100,000 or imprisonment not longer than 6 months, or both; b. for other offences, a fine not more than $300,000 or imprisonment not longer than 1 year, or both.
Kai Petainen
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
i find a strange irony in what is legal and illegal in canada and the usa. so at this location, it is legal to buy something illegal in canada. but it is illegal to buy something legal (dildos) in canada. this is the usa -- a land of sexual freedom, pleasure and porn. yet, its illegal to buy something to pleasure oneself, (at this location). it doesn't make sense to me. i understand its about zoning, but if i was to apply canadian laws, it makes no sense.
jns131
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
This one confuses me too.
YpsiGirl75
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
Is Ann Arbor in Canada? I'm confused!
Robad1
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 1:56 a.m.
OK, let me see if I got this right. They can sell pot paraphernalia, but the marijuana dispensaries get raided & shut down. Am I correct? Me thinks several people at city hall are just looking for things to do. Let the public decided what is needed and get busy dealing with more important things. We have ding-dongs deciding people can't sell fake dongs.
Alfie
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
Well, to all those "free and accepting" and "let the market decide" folks, lets see what would happen if Bongs and Thongs opened up next door to your house? Im sure you'd fully embrace that 'obscure' law and insist 'the City' shut the business down based on it. I have absolutely no problem with Bongs and Thongs store content, but it has to play by the rules, its as simple as that. There are rules and its your responsibility to know them before you open your business.
bedrog
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
I agree... If the "market' made this place a success it'd be a sign of a municipality heading toward the "Deadwood, circa 1876" model which--while making an entertaining HBO series, filled with gamblers, saloons, dopers and whores-- wasnt that great a place to raise families.
whatsupwithMI
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
-- John --- at 2:34 PM on September 13, 2011 Ann arbor is so "free and accepting" unless you don't have a hardcore liberal point of view in which case you might as well just shackle yourself to a wall --- ummm.. many consider Treetown the home of not liberlas, but card-carrying conservatives who like to smoke dope. YMMV.
snapshot
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 12:37 a.m.
I'm confused, the ordinance prohibits merchandise in excess of "20% of sales" So until sales receipts are in selling the adult goods would not be prohibited until sales reached 21 percent of total reciepts. Am I off base here?
KMB
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 11:54 p.m.
The legitimacy of the ordinance is interesting and I enjoyed reading all the comments. Thanks Roadman, for the legal history. Whether the ordinance makes sense or seems out of place doesn't matter to me as soon as I decide the business person seems like a goofball. Here are my favorite parts of the article: 1. He lied about his business to get the occupancy license quickly. He could have taken time to understand what he was getting into. He admits to lying, and he is now wringing his hands about the consequences of premature investment. The "external locus of control" illusion strikes again. 2. The name is Bongz & Thongz...he said the name is defeated because he can't sell sex toys. Aren't thongs (or "thongz") underwear? His plan "B" for the basement includes lingerie and Halloween costumes. Presumably if he can see lingerie, he can sell thong-style underwear. Am I'm naive to the latest sex toy jargon? If so, maybe it's my many years cloistered here in A2.
Goofus
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
You're not naive...the owners of Bongz and Thongz are.
Davidian
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
Wow. Are we in Iran?
racerx
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
Only when Iraq.
lugemachine
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.
Hey, that's what the American hikers said right after they were arrested!
bedrog
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
If these fine entrepreneurs wanted to open a supplementary business for cocaine and sadomasochist fans ( "Crank n' Spank") it would seem like they'd have alot of potential investors on this thread.
Roadman
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Actually, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Young vs. American Mini-Theatres stated that such adult entertainment businesses could not be banned entirely without running afoul of the First Amendment. That case dealt with the right of the City of Detroit to zone adult businesses into certain areas. Mayor Coleman Young was the Plaintiff. The Court held that municipalities could impose a time, place, manner limitation on the operation of adult business establishments without running afoul of the First Amendment. Reasonable zoning regulations upon adult entertainment businesses have been legal since the Young decision was handed down and would likely protect the Cty of Ann Arbor if Bongs and Thongs sued to allow distribution of such adult novelties.
Watcher
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
Hardly an obscure ordinance. The adult entertainment provisions have been in the zoning ordinance for over 30 years. The City spent many years in state and federal court defending the regulations. The 20% limit only applies in certain zones considered inappropriate for an adult entertainment business.
Jimmy McNulty
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
For as progressive as the City of Ann Arbor believes it is, this is certainly an archaic ordinance that needs to be re-thought.
rosy12
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
Ok, let me get this straight - sex is legal but they can't sell sex toys. Marijuana is illegal yet they can sell bongs. Huh? What do you think is getting smoked in the bongs? LOL - go figure.
jns131
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
They can use the bongs for the medical marijuana they bought at the shop down the street. This is why they can sell this stuff. So at least when you get the buzz you can do it in style. Like flying....with style.
Dot
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
"It sucks," he said. "That stuff is just sitting there now collecting dust and I couldn't return it without a huge restocking fee. We're trying to build a website with a PayPal account so hopefully we can sell it online." seriously dude, what suckz is that you are "trying to build a website". this is almost as dim as the initial - premature - investment in sex toyz geesh, 1 - get any ole cheap digital camera and shoot the merchandise (or pull photos of the website where you ordered you sex toyz) 2 - website? my 12 year old set his own up one evening - 'nuff said. 3 - PayPal, they'll take anybody'z money. no problem getting an account there 4 - you can do this in your spare time while you're waiting on the bong customerz, in fact guve them a card with the website address on it. 5 - use the basement for stock, packaging and shipping. selling online should be a component of your biz anywayz - - - not every lady (or gentleman) wants to shop brick & mortar for such sundries - or books for that matter! If you can learn one thing from Border's - as they close their doors while you open - sell online like ... who was it ... oh, yeah - Amazon.
Davidian
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 10:33 p.m.
If it were only that easy to be a successful businessman. Clearly you don't get out of the Ivory Tower much.
Foodie01
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
I think it's a ridiculous zoning ordinance but wait a second, how is this the city's fault? "As the Bongz & Thongz owners were trying to get their occupancy license for the space, Aboula said he promised the city he wouldn't sell sex toys, period." "We gave them our word to make it easier for us to open," Aboula said. "I didn't want to go back and forth with the city at that time." So he lied to the city and now wants to go back on his word? I'm having trouble working up sympathy here.
drut_ferguson
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:23 p.m.
How is a device design to stimulate the genitals defined? Does the City of Ann Arbor have a panel of 14 year old boys on call to brainstorm a list? If so I doubt there will be any stores left in Ann Arbor that don't sell cutlery or hot sauce.
Basic Bob
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
By this definition, college coeds are definitely banned. They better stay on state land (U-M).
Bertha Venation
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
What about the "Art" that stimulates the genitals?
smokeblwr
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:28 p.m.
Luckily Stadium Hardware is not in the no-fun zone or they'd be going down too.
Goofus
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
I don't think it's a zoning issue, or a pornography issue, or even a business issue, that this tacky store has had a hard go of it... ...it's a class issue. This business has none.
Fatkitty
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:10 p.m.
Aboula said he promised the city he wouldn't sell sex toys, period. "We gave them our word to make it easier for us to open," Aboula said. Aboula said his next step is to contact the city to see if they can come to some sort of agreement about the sale of sex toys. The zoning ordinance does not allow the sale of "devices of simulated human genitals or devices designed for sexual stimulation" in the D1 District of downtown if these amount for more than 20 percent of a business' sales, according to city documents. "I don't know where to go from here because I have more customers walking in here for the downstairs part than the upstairs." Somebody didn't do their homework before investing $30k in this "business". Also sounds to me like sales from the "toys" will amount to a lot more than 20 percent of sales. Buh-bye....
smokeblwr
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
I completely agree with Paul Wiener: we shouldn't be so uptight about phallus-shaped objects!
jns131
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Does this mean the famous water tower in Ypsilanti needs to go too? Just curious.
paul wiener
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
Ever since I began reading Ann Arbor.com I have seen nothing but a deluge of evidence that Ann Arbor is in thrall to the same kind of prudish, uptight, small-minded, retrograde idiots that Sinclair Lewis skewered 80 years ago. Is every penis-shaped object in existence now to be banned from sale in A2 stores? Every tube of jelly? Every oblong object? Every vibrating device? Mouthwash? Chocolate syrup too? Marshmallows? Rubber gloves? Leather jackets? Every magazine with naughty pictures? All belly, nose and tongue jewelry? Who dreams up this legalistic garbage?
racerx
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
You forgot skatebroads too.
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.
"Every tube of jelly? Every oblong object? Every vibrating device? Mouthwash? Chocolate syrup too? Marshmallows? Rubber gloves? Leather jackets? Every magazine with naughty pictures? All belly, nose and tongue jewelry? " I wanna party with you, mister.
Mark
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
I guess the Farmer's market is next, since they seems to have a variety of objects that could possibly be used for sexual stimulation.
smokeblwr
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
I doubt the city has time to manage the ordinance to this degree, they have enough balls in the air right now.
drut_ferguson
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
You're absolutely right. I'm with you all the way. Stick it to 'em, Wiener!
Fatkitty
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
You forgot cucumbers and bratwurst, Mr., uh, Weiner.
nekm1
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
"citing an ordinance from 1978 that restricts the products that can be sold by adult entertainment businesses downtown. " Sounds pretty clear to me. I would have to side with those that think the store owners didn't do a very good job of vetting the City first. It is also an odd place for this kind of store.
racerx
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
Got rid of the riff-raff? The owner of a business on 4th avenue lives in the basement of his building that he leases to other tenants. The roof leaks also. This same person has a number of outstanding parking tickets unpaid to the city and has been a thorn in the side of the city's legal department for unpaid taxes for years. Yup. Got rid of the riff-raff all right!
jns131
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
It is very close to 4th where they cleaned up that area years ago. Much nicer after they got rid of the riff raff to a nice area to walk in. Otherwise, you would not let your teenage child near there.
dogpaddle
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Ok, City Council and DDA; seriously? We just lost Border's yesterday and now you want to make it hard for a new downtown business to thrive? I'm not blaming Border's demise on you, but c'mon - let common sense prevail for a change. Do a waiver or variance. Make it a requirement for them to check for IDs at the door. We are talking retail items and novelties - this is not one of those adult video/theater places like one might see on outskirts of towns or down East Michigan Ave. It's just a retail place specializing in items for those 18 and over. We have stores that cater to young people. Why not those who are a bit older? For those of you who find what they carry offensive and disgusting, don't go in there. You have a choice. Some of you don't drink and don't go into liquor stores. They sell things intended for adults only. They ask for IDs.
smokeblwr
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
How about we just let UM buy up all the property in downtown and put more of a burden on local homeowners?
Goofus
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
Also, here's a clue to Aboula: try changing the name of your businezz if it doesn't fit what you actually sell if it's such a big deal.
glimmertwin
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
Just put on your protective gear, load your gun and go to downtown Ypsi. Isn't there a place for that stuff on Washington?
Bogie
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
Much like U of M students chanting, "Champions of the world." Another self promoting ann arborite, takes a shot at another town. It sounds good to those who attend an unranked school, and live in a town that has a sexual assault problem. Like everyone else in the country; we just laugh. These days, I would rather have my daughter walking in downtown ypsi, than to have wandering the streets of UM's campus. I'm sure the ladies of Ann Arbor are very disappointed in the city's decision.
whatsupwithMI
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Interestingly, I am accosted less by druggies and homeless beggars in Ypsi at 10pm than if I head to AA at noon. AA has some issues to resolve.
Goofus
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Actually, I'd rather a gunshop...excuse me, gunzhop...go in that space than a tacky headshop. At least it would be something new that the town doesn't already have a bunch of.
smokeblwr
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
You better watch what you say about guns and/or Ypsi on AA.com. Somebody will surely take umbrage and be OUTRAGED!!!
grye
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
Sex toys are better than drug paraphernalia and would be a lot more fun.
Goofus
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
I was against this tacky business having any success largely based on its tasteless inappropriateness for the area, but now that they've stooped even lower to debase the pluralize the name "Bongs and Thongs", on a cheap paper banner, to boot, I will actively root for them to go out of business ASAP.
Smart Logic
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
Tasteless inappropriateness? Have you been to college lately? It is overly appropriate for a large, transient portion of the population which equates to good profits, longevity, and money for the city. I hope you're rooting for Orbitz.com to go out of business as well, then.
Goofus
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
Meaning, of course, that they pluralized perfectly good wordz with "z"...
smokeblwr
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
Guess I'll have to keep getting my devices at garage sales.
Goofus
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
boiled water "generally" works for sterilization, I hear.
A2K
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
Boo! So you can either pay exorbitant shipping fees and buy toys online, or have to venture to one of the area's sketchy stripclubs and buy them there? Good Grief! Doesn't just about everyone not dead below the waist or boring have a toy-drawer these days? Who CARES if they sell sex toys in this day/age - frankly it would be nice to have a local option that's well-lit/not in scary-sketchyville. Sheesh!
racerx
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Bertha-call me! wink, wink, LOL!
Bertha Venation
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
Right on, A2K. Heh heh. I got 2 drawers.
B2Pilot
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
But the safe sex store is okay?? Makes perfect sense...Only in AnnArbor the city based on PC not common sense
Ignatz
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
I think the Safe Sex Store is not within the physical limits of the district being addressed by the ordinance.
RTFM
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
Did the city ever define "adult entertainment business" in the ordinance? This seems retail/store business, not a pay to see an act business. I am not a lawyer, but I have been accused of being one.
djm12652
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7 p.m.
RTFM....oh you flatterer...adult entertainment can be ascertained by reading a book...or do you limit your definition of adult entertainment to just exoctic dancers? I'm just happy there is such a classy store in my neighborhood!
John
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
Ann arbor is so "free and accepting" unless you don't have a hardcore liberal point of view in which case you might as well just shackle yourself to a wall
Carter84262
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.
I have a hardcore liberal point of view and I think this store should be allowed to open as intended. There is nothing liberal about banning adult businesses...that would be a conservative view point. Maybe some people who call themselves liberals are really conservatives of a different agenda...that is all a PC'er is.
sirotan
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
Having an ordinance banning stores selling adult novelties seems awfully bible belt-y. Seems like the owner really got he really got the shaft with this zoning law. (ohhohoh)
jns131
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.
Isn't this why they cleaned up 4th street years ago? To get rid of the riff raff that went with it? Ypsi is battling prostitutes and Ann Arbor is battling sex toys. Maybe they can meet in the middle? Say Washtenaw?
Smart Logic
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
Joke was too much of a cliche. Incidentally, it doesn't sound biblically induced at all. I think it is out of fear that ladies of the night will be walking the streets downtown again. It's silly.
sirotan
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
Joke ruined by undeletable typos. :(
thefoodandwinehedonist
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:22 p.m.
Thanks, city, I almost walked into a smoking accoutrement place called Bongz and Thongz with my kids. Heaven forbid they would've gone downstairs without me. I think there should be an obscure ordinance preventing the opening of another Korean restaurant or store that caters to hippies...
Ron Granger
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
Seoul Street! Spicy, crispy thin coating... fried to order. <a href="http://eatseoulstreet.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://eatseoulstreet.com/</a>
racerx
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
Hey I agree! I don't eat healthy, lets close both the Farmers Market, Whole Foods, Seva's, and any other place that doesn't cater to grease, red meat (not fish). With Snyder wanting to measure BMI (body mass index) in kids, McDonald's is sure to be next.
Hmm
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.
Ron there's a korean chicken place on Plymouth? More details please!!
Rod Johnson
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
protip for Davidian: if it seems like someone "can't be serious"... they're probably not.
Davidian
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
Ron, you can't be serious about the hate speech part. It's called a joke.
Ron Granger
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
That's hate speech! Ann Arbor needs more Korean restaurants. Lots more. Have you tried the new Korean chicken place on Plymouth? Fantastic!
notnecessary
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.
that would shut this store down upstairs and down if they couldn't sell to hippies....
notnecessary
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
@ombudsman - let the market decide what Ann Arbor needs and doesn't need, please.
Jojo B
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
@notnecessary: Well I think you got part of my sarcasm at least. Maybe I'm just not good at it today. (Hint: I haven't been to church in 25 years and nobody's going to make me.)
lumberg48108
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
agree 100% - notnecessary the market should make these decisions, not individuals who think they know best for everyone ... what arrogance what is moral for one is offensive to another - so dont judge and let people do what they want - until they actually do something that is (really) illegal
notnecessary
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
@ jojo - if people had morals then they wouldn't go to the sensual massage place or the sex store...right? then the business would shut down because they were making no money...hence, market wins! But, you want to make sure everyone else abides to your morals...right? How about mandatory school prayer and forcing everyone to attend church on Sundays?
Jojo B
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
In that case, I vote for sensual massages in the basement. Who needs stupid laws and ordinances in place; if people are willing to pay money for anything, they should be able to; morals and laws be damned.
Tesla
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
You can sell Bongs but you can't sell Dongs?
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
That's A2 for ya!
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
ironic isn't it. They are allowed to sell accessories to aid in committing a crime (illegal drug use) but are prevented from selling accessories for an act that is legal, natural and resulted in the very existence of the council and mayor.
notnecessary
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
What about the safe sex store on south university? doesn't this fall under this ordinance or is it outside of downtown?
jns131
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
UM district of University. The students need something to do so why not have it close by. Just a thought. Where they are setting up? If I am correct in the placement, this is within Library and public buses where children are said to be. Good call Ann Arbor. Keep it in University district.
Ryan J. Stanton
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
I believe that's in another zoning district that allows it.
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
Maybe they could try to sell the 30k worth of sex toys at Briarwood Mall?
racerx
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
If the business can't sell those adult related products, how will the law ever be fulfilled if it's never known if it sold 20 percent of the product? I smell a lawsuit forthcoming. And this is the same town that allows nude statues to be displayed? Where is the difference? If individuals want to purchase these items for the enjoyment of in their homes, so be it. The city is just scared that this place might lead to another 4th. Ave from the mid to late 70's. Give me a break. And the city wonders where needed tax revenue will be coming from. Let the place remain empty. Maybe the UM can find a use for the space and take another property off of the tax roles. Good grief Ann Arbor. Who are you protecting yourself from?
Ignatz
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
I don't care if this guy sells sex toys, but nude statues, in and of themselves, are not sexual.
djm12652
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
racerx...the article doesn't state if the $30K is retail price or the cost of goods the owner paid...if cost, triple keyed would put sales at $90k, if that is the retail value, he's sitting on 10K of inventory.
ombudsman
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.
as obscure as this ordinance is, this is absolutely the last thing ann arbor needs. why can't people make smart financial investments while investing in the city at the same time?
notnecessary
Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
let the market decide what Ann Arbor needs and doesn't need, please.