Kentucky Blocks Hustler Store

LEXINGTON, Kentucky – The Urban City Council threw a wrench in Larry Flynt Publications' (LFP) plan to build a Hustler retail store along the interstate interchange where current zoning laws allow adult establishments like video stores, adult bookstores, and strip clubs to conduct business.

The city council reportedly has no problem with adult retail stores so long as they are contained within a specific area near Interstate 75, at least until Jimmy Flynt, brother of Larry Flynt, came to town.

Flynt had originally proposed a Hustler retail store that would feature the usual array of adult toys, videos, and periodicals, in addition to an adult-themed cabaret with a non-alcoholic juice bar.

Making its distaste clearly known for Flynt's plans, the city council swiftly approved a moratorium on the establishment of any new adult outlets near interstate interchanges, a gesture Jimmy Flynt found difficult not to take personally.

Flynt and his lawyers were equally swift in filing an appeal based on the unconstitutionality of the council's decision.

"They are denying us a permit to open at that location," Flynt told XBiz. "They are trying to block us in any way they can from opening a Hustler. The area has been zoned for adult and they are trying to change that because of Hustler. Their persecution is somewhat selective. Any time Hustler comes to town it sends up a red flag."

In addition to blocking the Hustler outlet from being built in the area where other adult outlets are stationed, the city council has also urged the Lexington planning commission to create a zoning amendment that would permanently prohibit any new adult stores from opening along interstates, the Herald-Leader reported Wednesday.

Several local politicians are concerned that too many adult stores along the highway and the billboards that typically stand on display will give the impression that Lexington is an adult entertainment hub.

The council has tried to convey that they are not trying to prohibit adult entertainment businesses from setting up shop in that area, only the ones that have proposed the placement of billboards along the highway.

According to the Herald-Leader, the moratorium could last for an entire year, although it is still pending two council readings before it is approved. The second reading is expected on Jan. 22.

"You usually have one or two politicians in a particular city that try to make political hay out of something like this," Flynt told XBiz. "Eventually, when they see that they don't have that support in the community as a whole, they have a tendency to back off. Some cities are just harder than others."

Flynt has so far established Hustler retail stores in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Cincinnati, Ohio.

LFP is still planning a retail rollout in San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, and St. Louis.

Larry Flynt was arrested for obscenity in Cincinnati in 1999. He avoided a trial and possible jail term by agreeing to a plea bargain deal with prosecutors. According to reports, the prosecution dropped 13 other charges stemming from the illegal sale in 1997 of an explicit video to a 14-year-old boy.

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

Australian eSafety Commissioner Demands Stricter Child Protection Codes

Australia’s online safety regulator, eSafety, is once again reviewing a “final” draft of industry codes to protect children from pornography and other age-inappropriate content, after eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant rejected the previously announced “final” codes as insufficiently stringent.

Liz Flynt Debuts 'Hustler: 50 Years of Freedom' Book

Liz Flynt has released her new retrospective book, “Hustler: 50 Years of Freedom.”

Nerdgasm: A Look at the Naughty Side of Pop Culture Geekdom

From “Call of Duty” to cosplay, from tabletop dice rolls to dungeon-inspired dirty talk, the worlds of geek fandom and fantasy are no longer confined to the basement. They’ve kicked down the door, shed the “Firefly” tee and gone full frontal.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Moves to Outlaw Internet Pornography

A parliamentary committee of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday approved a measure to outlaw online adult content in the country.

Sweden Bans Purchase of 'Remote' Sexual Services

The Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, has approved a proposal to criminalize purchasing sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.

Asa Akira to Deliver XBIZ Talk at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that decorated performer, Pornhub brand ambassador, and author Asa Akira is set to deliver an exclusive talk at XBIZ Miami.

JustFor.fans Launches 'Fentanyl Test Strip' Initiative

JustFor.fans (JFF) has launched a test strip initiative to combat the nationwide fentanyl crisis.

2025 XBIZ Miami Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier summer conference, set to take place May 19-22 at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach.

AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Million Billion Media Launches New Website

Management and PR agency Million Billion Media (MBM) has launched a new website.

Show More