Officials of a church that forced an adult video store to close by acquiring the building it was leasing, say that a coffee shop or bakery may open in the store’s former space.
Bishop Jay Ramirez, of the Kingdom Life Christian Church, said that the church is negotiating with proponents of a coffee shop and a bakery to move into the space that formerly housed the Video Pleasures adult store, the New Haven Register reported.
Parishoners at the church had raised $245,000 to acquire the building the store had leased, forcing its closure in 2003. The building has remained empty ever since, Ramirez said.
The church, he said, has been considering various offers, having recently rejected proposals for a motorcycle repair business and a tattoo parlor.
But Ramirez said the church wants its new tenants to fit with the city’s efforts to revitalize the Devon area, where new sidewalks, a park and other improvements have been made to spruce up the neighborhood.
Community and Economic Development Director Robert Gregory said he was encouraged by the church's efforts to help revitalize the area.
