Two Hot to Handle

Alexandria cracks down on a proliferation of sex shops…all two of them

By DORA HASAN MEKOUAR

Updated 11:48 AM EST, Thu, Nov 5, 2009

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Sex shops are not exactly overtaking historic Old Town. But there’s a concern that they could.

"There’s an anxiety that there might become a proliferation. We had one for about a year. Now we have two,” said Farroll Hamer, director of Planning and Zoning for the city. “There's a concern about the ultimate number that might appear."

Eight blocks separate the two existing sex shops. Lotus Blooms is on one end of town. It’s been open less than a year and is run by nurses. As medical professionals, they see it as a sort of self-help shop.

"A store where women, predominantly, but couples also can come, ask questions, spark their love life," said Jan Scott, who works at Lotus Blooms.

Too Hot To Handle

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Too Hot To Handle

La Tache is at the other end of King Street. It’s been around for just over a year. Neither shop screams adult store but not everyone is excited about them. “Some things should be private,” said one man.

“Some things we just don't need to know other people are doing.” But another disagrees. “As long as from the outside it looks tasteful and it’s not over the top, I don't see a problem with it.”

The shops fall through the cracks of existing zoning regulations. The proposed zoning amendment seeks to strike a balance between allowing legal, free enterprise and prohibiting a worst-case scenario -- a so-called red light district.

“There is no intention to shut down either one of the existing shops. It’s more a concern that we not have a proliferation of shops in the future,” said Hamer.

First Published: Nov 4, 2009 11:36 PM EST

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0 Comments

{"totSize":14,"payload_type":"json","status":"1","results":[{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"331759_69253682","adminTags":null,"views":550,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Too Hot To Handle","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2650994,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"5 Nov 2009 05:14:12 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1187020","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"Gimme a break. Old town is about as risque and exciting as a visit to the proctologist. You don't even know these shops are there. Frankly, this sterile insulated enclave could use some more sex shops. And, how about some bars that aren't teeming with yuppie DC libsmarms at the ready to look down their noses at you."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"331759_69253682","adminTags":null,"views":550,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Too Hot To Handle","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2650994,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"5 Nov 2009 11:42:08 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1187411","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"Old Town is boring, sorry. I only come in to look at the Christmas lights anymore. I am a suburban housewife and moderately conservative. If the shops are tasteful and do not have provocative window displays, so be it. But then again, if I were to open a Pagan shop there, would I be run out for being against the grain? Probably. Shops that sell sex toys are not brothels, some can be very tasteful and crap, there are quite a few bored suburban housewives who would like to spice up the bedroom I'll bet. I would be more likely to visit one in Old Town than here in Pr Wm Co because the few in Pr Wm Co are trashy. Old Town, chill a bit. Not all of us who enjoy a few toys are perverts or against the grain. I highly doubt you are going to become a red light district any time soon. With so many businesses closing, you would think you would be HAPPY to have shops moving in. Compromise. If more want to come in, let them. Just ask that the windows are tastefully curtained, no one under 18 can enter and that the owners keep the more provocative items in the back. Stop being so stuffy!!! Love, a conservative, Republican housewife who knows how to have fun... And it is not in Old Town..."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"331759_69253682","adminTags":null,"views":550,"createdBy":10376044,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Too Hot To Handle","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2650994,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"5 Nov 2009 14:06:09 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"Oldwolf","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1187993","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"I want to congratulate the City of Alexandria for resolving all of their budget, crime and educational issues. They must have since they have enough time to worry about something as innocuous as this."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"331759_69253682","adminTags":null,"views":550,"createdBy":14099102,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Too Hot To Handle","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2650994,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"5 Nov 2009 14:56:37 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"justmytwocentsworth","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1188388","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":""Neither shop screams adult store but not everyone is excited about them. " Are you insane? Le Tache is VERY trashy from the street, and they have not only 3 floors of s*x toys, but a bondage room with cages and various hardcore toys in the basement. I am serious! We pay a LOT of money to live in Old Town because it is a beautiful neighborhood - clean, family-friendly, well-run, and with an excellent reuptation. These s*x shops have no place in our city. Send them off to Dupont or AdMo where the deviants reside or hang out. I'm mortuified and hope every day that the shops will go under and open up room for more decent businesses. And for those who thing Old Town is boring -- you have no idea. Yes, the bar scene is a bit "reserved" but we have more festivals, events, and social people than just about any other neighborhood in the area. Wake up."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"331759_69253682","adminTags":null,"views":550,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Too Hot To Handle","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2650994,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"5 Nov 2009 15:11:25 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1188503","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"This is just another example of the City of Alexandria not supporting small businesses. Hey, City - it will look great on your record to close down a shop owned by minority Hispanic females that are also well-known nurse practitioners that save lives by day, and do a lot in the community in helping underprivileged individuals. I bet none of the old members of the City have ever step foot in the store to see that it is tasteful and not a big deal. "}],"error":"","totPages":3}