By Shaun Szkolnik, for The Tribune
CENTER POINT — The Center Point City Council heard public comment from Erika Moultry. Moultry is the owner of the One Stop Sexy Shop, formerly in Ensley, and is looking to re-open her store in Center Point. The One Stop Sexy Shop sells women’s clothing and accessories. None of the accessories sold at the shop can be considered novelty items or of an adult nature.
The council had concerns about the store opening in Center Point due to the confusion that the name may create.
“Your sign indicates, just…in the name, kinda indicates that maybe it’s more than just a clothing store,” said Council President Roger Barlow. “That’s the concern. That is the concern of the city.”
The council is also worried that the sign that would be used at a Center Point location of the One Stop Sexy Shop would reinforce the impression that the One Stop Sexy Shop catered to adult tastes. The sign features two silhouettes of seemingly nude women.
“The sign to me is very offending,” said Councilwoman Linda Kennemur. “We worked very, very hard to clean up our image in Center Point, to get rid of novelty shops and sex shops and this that and the other…this is where I live, and this is not the image that I want for my city.”
Moultry attempted to convince the council that the word “sexy” was appropriate for a business to use.
“So sexy, I printed out the definition of sexy,” said Moultry. “Also, I had went to Walgreens and also the neighborhood Walgreens. These are some of the items that they sell that has the word sexy on there.”
Moultry provided the council members with printouts of those items.
“I also called my attorney to make sure that I wasn’t doing anything illegal,” said Moultry. “And he looked up all the codes and there ain’t nothing legally saying I can’t use the word sexy. And I’ve been using this store name for over four years.”
Barlow asked where the store was previously located. Moultry informed him that it had been located on Avenue F in the downtown Ensley area.
“Well it’s just the image that I think is the concern,” said Barlow. “There’s the image.”
Upon request, Moultry provided the definition of sexy that she had printed out.
“It says one who is gorgeous, pretty, beautiful, cute, attractive, or sexually attractive, hot, or curved in the right places,” said Moultry. “And that is why our symbol is like a curvy woman because we sell curvy clothes…but I can assure you that we don’t sell no type of novelty products.”
Kennemur clarified her concerns about the images on the sign.
“It’s not only the word sexy, the sexy word on the sign,” said Kennemur. “There are life-sized images of naked silhouette ladies on your sign. One’s a devil and one’s an angel. That offends me. I’m sorry.”
The council discussed with Moultry the possibility of altering or adding additional information to the sign so it would be clear that The One Stop Sexy Shop did not sell adult products. Moultry agreed to try and take some action in that direction and possibly work with the city in presenting an image that left no doubt as to what the store sold.
The council unanimously passed four separate resolutions ordering the demolition of several properties in Center Point. The properties were:
- 608 22nd Terrace NE
- 205 22nd Avenue NW
- 29 16th Avenue NW
- 212 Polly Reed Road
“I would just like to say,” said Barlow. “I don’t like tearing down these properties, but if they’re not remediated and these properties are not taken care of, they will be torn down.”
In other news, Councilman Terry Leesburg made a motion for the council to approve a resolution that would fund a project to expand Station 1 for the Center Point Fire District, at the cost of $143,000. Councilwoman Kennemur seconded the motion, and the council unanimously approved of the resolution.
The Center Point City Council will meet again on April 25, with pre-council starting at 6:45 p.m. and the council meeting starting at 7 p.m.
