Strip club operators say they plan to abide by a court ruling that allows the city to enforce new regulations that forces exotic dancers to cover up.
Ron Buckner, manager of the Parkway Tropics strip club, said he plans to abide by the new regulations that went into effect last Sunday, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
It was just last week that a court ruled that the city of Grand Rapids was within its rights in passing an ordinance that called for dancers to wear pasties and G-strings while they work at strip clubs. The measure also requires all dancers to stay a minimum of six feet away from customers.
It also calls on clubs to build raised stages and to remove doors on peep show booths. But neither condition applies until Nov. 21.
Federal District Court Judge Robert Bell ruled that the city could enforce its new ordinance beginning at midnight last Saturday despite two lawsuits challenging the measure’s constitutionality. He ruled that the lawsuits filed by the Sensations club and the Little Red Barn Adult Theatre were not likely to prevail.
Buckner said his dancers would don bikinis after their performances to collect tips.
Likewise, Sensations owner Mark London said little would change at his club, though his dancers would now wear bikinis. He added that under the new rules, his business does not qualify as an adult entertainment business.
Police Chief Harry Dolan said he would meet with City Attorney Philip Balkema to discuss how to deal with possible violations.
London, however, said he will not open another strip club, dubbed Showgirls Galleria as a result of the new ordinance.
