Neighbors Oppose New Santa Rosa Adult Store

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A new adult store in downtown Santa Rosa has launched an ordinance dispute with city officials and prompted protests from surrounding business owners.

The Spice Sensuality Boutique, which opened in late August, carries adult products including lingerie, costumes, massage oils, adult toys, DVDs and bachelor and bachelorette party supplies.

"Our whole image is to create a safe haven for people," Spice co-owner Chuck Freese said. "Spice was developed for women."

Freese and his wife, who live in Santa Rosa, opened a Spice Boutique in nearby Rohnert Park nearly two years ago.

In late September, the couple received a letter from the city informing them that the boutique, which initially had been listed as a lingerie store, was being reclassified as a venue selling adult-oriented merchandise and was violating city ordinances.

"There are a great deal of products which are within acceptable standards — some are not," Santa Rosa Mayor John Sawyer said.

Among the "unacceptable" items are dildos, of which Spice offers a selection.

Freese said he and his wife would be willing to remove products from the store in order to comply, but, Freese said, complaints over the store's presence on Fourth Street are at the root of the ordinance problems.

"We would work with the city, item by item if we had to. We never wanted to fight with the city. We went through the right procedure," Freese said. "In the business application, we stated that we were a sensuality shop and sold bedroom essentials."

City officials and the Freeses disagree on whether the type of products sold were clearly specified before the store received a permit. Regardless of the initial understanding, Sawyer said, the boutique would have to stop selling the prohibited items in order to meet city requirements.

Chari Blackwood of Sonoma said she was comfortable shopping at Spice while her husband and children waited outside.

"It's not lewd and lascivious," she said. "If it weren't for places like this, marriages would go bad."

Copyright © 2024 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

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

LELO Launches 'Masturbitter' Craft Beer to Promote Male Sex Talk

LELO has partnered with Great Beyond Brewing Company to launch Masturbitter, a craft beer, to encourage men to discuss sex.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Blush Erotica, The Kinky Candle Company Partner for Branded Candle

Blush Erotica has partnered with The Kinky Candle Company for an official branded candle.

Show More