The opening of an Adam and Eve adult shop has been put on hold, despite having received a tentative green light from the city. Zoning ordinances prohibit the sale of any sexually-oriented goods other than lingerie in the store's location on Route 6 in Seekonk.
Town Administrator Paul Lemont told eastbayri.com that, to his knowledge, the owners would feature only apparel in the shop. Other items would be available through the store, Lemont explained, but strictly through catalog and Internet order.
Building inspector Mike Chrisafulli threatened to pull his approval of the site when he saw a sign in front of the plaza advertising "novelties, DVDs and lingerie." Adam and Eve stores normally sell lingerie, novelties and adult DVDs in-store, but the inventory of each franchise is up to the individual owner.
"I only approved a lingerie store," Chrisafulli told eastbayri.com. "Anything else would not be in the proper zone."
Store owner Manny Frontino told reporters that he is consulting his attorney and will proceed from there.
City officials are keeping a close eye on the store as Selectman David Viera told eastbayri.com that he "would not stand for other novelties to be sold in that part of town."
Jay Ptaszenski, manager at Mattress Discounters, which is in the same plaza as the prospective shop told eastbayri.com that he believed his potential new neighbors could be beneficial by drawing more people to the plaza.
"I think it would probably help our business," he said, adding that the "young people" who visit his store are generally in their 20s, not teenagers, and would likely not pose a legal problem for any adults-only stores.
