The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that when the Hustler Hollywood adult store opened in Monroe, Ohio five years ago, critics claimed it would taint the town's reputation and chase away other businesses. But five years later, neighboring businesses have grown, new residents continue moving in and officials grudgingly accept the store's presence.
Meanwhile, the store has served as a prototype for similar stores in other cities.
Larry and Jimmy Flynt opened the Hustler Hollywood store on Dec. 15, 2000, as a modern-looking, upscale place to sell explicit adult DVDs, magazines, games, clothing and other sex products.
Local officials continue to watch the place, but have not launched any concerted efforts to shut the business down.
"These types of retail businesses are not what most cities seek for their front door along the interstate," said Jay Stewart, Monroe's director of development. "But as long as the federal courts provide them substantial protection to operate on First Amendment grounds, these businesses can locate in virtually any community."
There is little, if any, evidence that the store is causing harm to Monroe. Since it’s inception in 2000, about 3,000 new residents have moved in, bumping Monroe's population to around 10,000. Even more growth is expected because developers have options on several large parcels.
The Hustler store was built right next door to Sara Jane's Restaurant, a fixture in Monroe for more than 20 years. Charlie Whittaker, the restaurant manager, told the Enquirer the adult business brings a lot of customer traffic into the area.
Jimmy Flynt, co-owner of Hustler, said locals are reluctant to credit him for helping the economy because of the nature of his business. "We built a modern, attractive store - and it drives traffic into the community," he said.
The younger brother of Larry, Jimmy Flynt said the Monroe operation "is the store that has made all our other stores across the nation possible."
Since opening the Monroe store, the Flynts have opened Hustler Hollywood stores in South Beach, Fla.; Lexington; Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Local business owners and city officials said the store often has a full parking lot - especially on weekend nights.
Flynt declined to reveal any sales figures, but claims the store has been a success. "The Monroe store's business has been unbelievable, and it has been very good to our company," he said.
Alycia Harrold and boyfriend Steve Glenn, both from Dayton, browsed the adult offerings this week. "It's couple-friendly. It has a lot more than videos - and it's classy, not trashy looking," said Harrold.
Flynt said more than 50 percent of his customers are female - and that the store's design was intended to make women feel comfortable shopping there.
David Miller, vice president of Citizens for Community Values, isn't comfortable with the store at all. The anti-pornography group based in Sharonville has long opposed the Flynts - as well as other adult-oriented businesses throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Despite Hustler's upscale appearance, said Miller, the store "is no different than any other outlet of hard-core pornography. Everything the Hustler store is about is related to sexual activity," he said. "What we are telling society by allowing these sort of stores is that women are sport and exist only for the sexual desires of men."
The group plans to hold public meetings in Butler County next year to discuss legal options residents may pursue to force the store out.
But it is not clear that the anti-pornography group reflects the views of Monroe residents.
Don and Julie Merland, married with young children, moved into the Monroe Ridge subdivision - about a half-mile from the store - a year before the Hustler store opened. They constantly pass the Hustler store to get to I-75. Neither said they are bothered much.
"The only thing I don't like is I that I can see their sign from my back yard," Julie Merland said.
