A federal judge will hear arguments Monday on whether a sex book and video store near the southwestern Utah border can stay open.
Pure Pleasure Book and Video in Mesquite, Nev., was closed Dec. 10 when a new ordinance restricting sexually oriented businesses went into effect. Store attorneys were granted a temporary restraining order by Judge Phillip Pro in Las Vegas, and the store reopened Dec. 13.Many of Pure Pleasure's customers are from Utah, where much of its sexually explicit videos, magazines and paraphernalia cannot be sold. It has attracted dozens of protesters from nearby St. George and other southwestern Utah towns, who have videotaped customers, quizzed them about purchases and written down license numbers.
Attorneys for the city and store will argue the legality of the new, 36-page ordinance, which invalidated Pure Pleasure's business license. Among other things, it requires employee background checks, compliance with stringent health and fire codes and regulates where such businesses can be located.
Under the law, Pure Pleasure would have to move or close down because it is in a commercial zone.
"It makes no sense to apply for a business license under the new ordinance because we can't be where we are under this new law," says store attorney Neil Beller.