SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Harry Frost owns Paradise, an adult book and video store in Springfield. It’s one of the types of businesses targeted by new state legislation that supporters say will clean up communities and crack down on crime. Frost says it’s gone too far.
“When the government starts regulating businesses, the next thing they’re trying to do is regulate Wal-Mart — stuff that people don’t want regulated,” he said.
Under the bill passed on Thursday night and sent to Gov. Jay Nixon, adult stores and strip clubs would have to close by midnight. In those clubs would be a little less stripping; full nudity would be banned, including in “juice-only clubs.” Alcohol could no longer be served at adult clubs, and no one under 18 could enter. New establishments would have to be at least 1,000 feet from places like homes, churches, child care centers, and schools.
Opponents of the law say it amounts to pushing morality on others and infringing on rights.
“If you are 18 years old or older and can prove it to me, they have right to come in here and buy whatever they want to buy. They ought to be able to be able to buy,” said Frost.
If Nixon signs the bill into law, it would take effect Aug. 28. Those in the adult entertainment industry like Frost say this battle is far from over.
“It remains to be seen whether it’s going to hold up in court or not because, definitely, I’m sure all the people that have stores in Missouri will band together and fight this,” he said.