To be fair, they got into the business with the express purpose of shutting it down.
On July 29, 2003, after a series of successful fundraisers, Bishop Jay Ramirez plunked down nearly a quarter-million dollars in church funds to buy a building on Bridgeport Ave. that housed Video Pleasures, an adult video store.
The plan, according to Ramirez, was to use the church’s new ownership rights to shut the store down.
Unfortunately for the church, lease agreements overrule even God in some cases, and Video Pleasures owner Michael Friend remained in the building for two years on a lease that doesn’t expire until the end of 2006.
Friend had initially told Ramirez he would accept a $200,000 buyout to give up his lease and leave the building, but Ramirez decided to wait it out.
“Were trying to have a little bit of grace,” Ramirez said of Friend's refusal to leave. “We want to do things in a responsible business manner. One way or another, [the shop] will be gone before next December. I hope they choose to leave before we throw them out.”
But Ramirez grew tired of waiting and sought to evict Friend for allegedly owing more than $4,800 in back rent. And after eviction proceedings began in December, Friend decided enough was enough. He agreed to close the store and vacate the premises.
