Larry and Jimmy Flynt opened the Hustler Hollywood store on Dec. 15, 2000, as a modern-looking, upscale place to sell explicit adult DVDs, magazines, games, clothing and other sex products. Local officials continued to watch the place but have not launched any efforts to shut it down.
“As long as the federal courts provide them substantial protection to operate on First Amendment grounds, these businesses can locate in virtually any community," Jay Stewart, the city’s director of development, said.
Since 2000, about 3,000 new residents have moved to Monroe, bumping the city’s population to about 10,000. The business district along the interstate also has seen moderate growth, with more growth expected due to land parcel purchases by developers, Stewart said.
Charlie Whittaker, manager of Sara Jane’s Restaurant, which lies adjacent the Hustler Hollywood store, said the adult business brings a lot of customer traffic into the area. Other local business owners and city officials said the store often has a full parking lot, especially on weekend nights.
Jimmy Flynt, co-owner of Hustler and Larry Flynt’s younger brother, said locals are reluctant to credit him for helping the economy because of the nature of his business.
"We built a modern, attractive store – and it drives traffic into the community," he said, adding that the Monroe store "is the store that has made all our other stores across the nation possible."
Hustler Hollywood also maintains stores in South Beach, Fla.; Lexington; Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.