Story Created:
Oct 9, 2009 at 8:39 PM CST
Story Updated:
Oct 9, 2009 at 9:22 PM CST
A juice bar with nude dancers is scheduled to open next week in Mansfield, South Dakota and many people in town are upset about this.
There is a law stating an adult business cannot be within a quarter mile of a school, playground, or place of worship. The owner of Hunter's Haven says he is opening anyway despite being right across the street from a playground.
That's not going over well with people in town.
"We don't need that here. It's a small community. There's a bunch children around. There's not that many businesses. It's pretty much a residential area," says John Graham.
Residents are concerned about children in the area and the bar with nude dancers being in the middle of town.
The owner, Kit Donley says activities inside won't be seen from outside.
"We are putting up extra walls so they can't see inside, covering up the windows, and probably will put an entry out front."
John Graham says it's against the law.
"The bottom line is if they do it it's illegal. There's a law against it. 97% of the people down there don't want it. I don't know why they would do it."
The law states that an adult oriented business may not be located with a quarter mile of a school, public playground, residence, or place of worship.
Despite the fact there is a playground right across the street the owner says Hunter's Haven will open on Thursday.
"From what my lawyer tells me we can open. We are not going to be open all the time to where that ordinance doesn't obtain to us."
Whether Hunter's Haven will be open for business or closed down quickly remains to be seen.
The Spink County State's Attorney has sent an opinion letter to the owner of Hunter's Haven, the Spink County Commissioners, and residents stating that opening an adult oriented business as defined by the ordinance is prohibited.
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