Adam & Eve Store Can Stay in Florida

O’NEIL, Fla. – Adam & Eve’s store in Nassau County, the subject of community debate since before its opening in February, can stay in the unincorporated area of O’Neil, despite recent county regulations.

The store, which sells novelties, videos, lingerie and products from its own catalogue, was “grandfathered in” around regulations adopted last week prohibiting adult-oriented businesses from locating in certain areas.

The ordinance also requires employee background checks and prohibits the sale of alcohol and the display of live nudity.

The Adam & Eve store, which is the first of the North Carolina company’s franchises anywhere, neither displayed live nudity nor sold alcohol in this small community north of Jacksonville. First Amendment attorney Lawrence Walters told XBiz, “The religious right fought hard to stop the store from opening, but we prevailed in the end.”

Walters described the subsequent adoption of regulations as being tacked on.

“The community had no rules in place about adult businesses, and they could not make the recent ordinance retroactively applicable," he said.

Walters said he had been physically threatened during the public hearings, in which the store was described by religious leaders as “the serpent which needed to be driven from the garden of Nassau County,” but was encouraged that “pro-First Amendment protesters” countered the picketing of the store and would often give the store extra business.

“You had people coming in to buy things to spite the (anti-Adam & Eve) protesters,” he said.

Walters said that despite the protests, Adam & Eve’s choice to locate its first store in Nassau County was a business decision based on the large number of orders it received from the area.

Opponents of the store claim the ordinance, though it did not prevent the establishment from opening or continuing, was a victory for the town in that it makes it more difficult for adult businesses to locate in Nassau County.

“This is not over with," Robert Goyette, pastor of Living Waters World Outreach Center, said. "The county has done its part, but the people who opposed it still feel that way about this kind of business. It's not about the people who run it, it's about the nature of the business and what it brings into the community."

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Adult Time Drops New Installmet of 'MILF Overload'

Adult Time has released the latest installment of director Jim Powers' series "MILF Overload."

Coco Bae Fronts Latest From Reality Kings

Coco Bae stars with Jordi El Nino Polla in the latest release from Reality Kings.

Eve Sweet Stars in Latest From Blacked Raw

Vixen Angel Eve Sweet stars with Vixen Media Group (VMG) exclusive Jason Luv in the latest release from studio imprint Blacked Raw.

Brazzers Drops Season Finale of 'MILF Quest'

Brazzers has released the final episode of the first season of "MILF Quest," hosted by Cherie DeVille.

Beca Barbie Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Beca Barbie has made her debut for Hookup Hotshot alongside Nade Nasty.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Assured MoFi ID' Testing Program

ProDx Health has introduced its new Assured MoFi ID Program for testing.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Eye of Love Expands 'Bloom' Collection

Eye of Love has introduced two new perfume oils from its Bloom collection.

Nobü Adds to 'Essentials' Collection

Nobü is expanding its Essentials collection with three new pleasure products.

Show More