Augusta, Georgia – from www.wjbf.com – This time the sign was right on at the X-Mart, it really is open.
“Today we’re going to open up to do some business hopefully we’ll be accepted with open arms it’s been a long awaited thing so I hope we will be accepted and we’ll go over smoothly,” said manager Nikki Kirkpatrick.
There we’re no fireworks but its Independence Day at the X-Mart.
The store is back in business.
Reggie Jackson was on the job but without the first day jitters.
Because he was actually on the payroll at the X-Mart when the city shut the store down in 2003.
“Well I heard the store was re-opening I heard the disputes of the past had been reconciled so I decided to come back I enjoyed working here it was a good experience,” he said.
But the X- Mart is a store Augusta leaders did not want anyone to experience.
The city spent about 700 thousand dollars in the losing effort to keep it from opening.
But after the Commission waved the white flag last month, the store was overwhelmed from those looking to join the team.
“Crazy the amount of people coming in here we probably got 400 applications filled out,” said Kirkpatrick
According to financial records released in Federal Court last summer the X-Mart was doing 13 hundred dollars a day in business when the city shut it down seven years ago.
And the business model hasn’t changed.
The DVD’s on the shelves for sale are a long way far from G-Rated.
X certainly marks the spot on this material.
The novelty items are also very grown up.
“It all falls back on choice, it falls back on what this country was based on that’s freedom if you don’t agree with what’s sold inside the store that’s your choice to not come in here,” said Kirkpatrick, but also saying the store is open to anyone 18 and older.
Many considered it immoral, dirty, and not appropriate for polite society, and the X-Mart is okay with that because it has a city license to put it all on sale 24-7.
Georgia- from www.augusta.com – The x-rated video store that cost the city of Augusta a $550,000 settlement and $137,000 to fight in court is now open.
The X-Mart on Gordon Highway opened its doors Saturday but won’t be open 24 hours until the store is fully staffed, X-Mart attorney Gary Edinger said.
“They need about eight employees to do ’round the clock, and have about two shifts full at this point,” Edinger said.
The retail store has been fortunate to be able to pick and choose from a large pool of applicants, some of whom had previous adult retail experience, he said.
The store has been closed since 2003, while Augusta and X-Mart owner Augusta Video have been fighting a protracted legal battle.
Since agreeing to the settlement May 18, Augusta has paid the full amount and expedited the issue of licenses the store needed to open, Edinger said.