WEST CHESTER, Ohio (Sydney Benter) -- Normally bringing business to an abandoned building is good news, but that's not the case in West Chester. The proposed business is an erotic nightclub and neighbors aren't on board. The owners of a Fort Wayne members-only spot called The Champagne Club want to bring a similar venue to an industrial area in West Chester. Their website says it's a place "where Champagne wishes and caviar dreams do come true," but neighbors say it's a nightmare they don't want in their backyard. The proposed business owners had done their homework and trustees signed off on the license, but the community was outraged. The license was filed as a sexually oriented establishment. The trustees are now concerned that the nightclub is a sexual encounter establishment, though, and that it should be evaluated differently. "A sexually oriented business is a constitutionally protected business. We don't want them here, but we could not stop them from coming here if they so choose. A sexually encounter establishment--based on our interpretation at this point--is not a constitutionally protected business," says George Lang, president of the board. Neighbors and business owners packed the house at Tuesday night's trustee meeting. "I've been a member of this community . . . for 50 years and it's always been a family valued community. We've stayed here because of that," says Lisa Shoop. She was one of many residents who spoke at the meeting in opposition to the nightclub. The board listened to comments and voted to suspend issuing licenses to sexual encounter establishments until they can do more research. Trustees say they never heard from any community members who support the nightclub. The nightclub's future started to look bleak last week when trustees rescinded the license over what they call "an incomplete zoning application." A co-owner of the Fort Wayne club told Local 12 she has no comment. Follow Sydney Benter on Twitter @Local12Sydney, and LIKE her on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!
