Love Shack Opens Amid Legal Battle

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Shortly after opening, The Love Shack, a 10,000-square-foot adult video and novelty retail establishment, will begin its federal case against Fulton County, which has refused to give the store its business license.

The store, which owner John Cornetta called “the nicest of its kind,” has been fighting a two-front legal battle since it opened its doors Nov. 29.

Fulton County officials had filed suit against the store to keep it from opening, but Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter declined to shut the store down, saying the federal court where Cornetta had filed suit was a better venue.

According to Cornetta, the state court suit was a last-minute effort on the part of the County to shut down his store.

“Fulton County tried to sandbag us, filing a lawsuit at 3:45 p.m. and telling us to be there at 4 p.m.,” Cornetta said. “But this judge said ‘no’ to the County.”

An elated Cornetta called his employees from the courthouse telling them that they had won the right to remain open for the time being.

Fulton County attorney Steven Rosenberg said he plans to continue to prosecute the case in federal court, where asked the judge to hold Cornetta in contempt for opening the store in advance of pending litigation.

The judge in the federal case denied Rosenberg's request and said he would not close the store while he hears the case.

"Today was a big victory for us," Cornetta told XBIZ. "We've beaten them every step of the way."

In the meantime, the newly incorporated city of Johns Creek, which formed as of Dec. 1, will seek to align itself with the county against Cornetta in federal court.

"We're going to argue that the store is in violation of city ordinances and city code," Mayor Mike Bodker said. "We're hoping the judge says you shouldn't have done that and put chains on the doors."

Under city law, Cornetta can prevail with a “grandfathered” business license if he can show that he was legally open for business prior to Johns Creek becoming a functional city.

Whether Cornetta was legally entitled to operate his business will be determined in the federal case.

According to Cornetta, he has the right to operate a business for 30 days prior to obtaining a business license.

Since becoming a city on Dec. 1., Johns Creek has passed several ordinances defining adult businesses and their inventory. The ordinances also regulate hours of operation and who can work in the stores.

Cornetta contends that his store operates as a regular business under local law because only 25 percent of his merchandise is adult material.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

ProDx Health Introduces 'Assured MoFi ID' Testing Program

ProDx Health has introduced its new Assured MoFi ID Program for testing.

Eye of Love Expands 'Bloom' Collection

Eye of Love has introduced two new perfume oils from its Bloom collection.

Nobü Adds to 'Essentials' Collection

Nobü is expanding its Essentials collection with three new pleasure products.

Like a Kitten to Release 'Adventure Collection'

Pleasure brand Like a Kitten has announced that it will debut its new Adventure Collection on July 15.

Full Circle Debuts New Bullet Vibes

Pleasure brand Full Circle has introduced a new range of bullet vibrators.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Butterfly Fantasies' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Butterfly Fantasies line of intimate wear.

Orion Debuts 'Vipepad' Ride-On Vibrator

Orion Wholesale has introduced the latest edition of its Vibepad ride-on vibrator.

Xgen's Dr. Mindy DeSeta Spotlighted on CBS News

CBS News has spotlighted Xgen Products resident sex therapist Dr. Mindy DeSeta on its Miami and West Palm Beach affiliate stations.

Electric Novelties Expands 'Gläs' Collection

Electric Novelties has introduced a variety of new items from its Gläs collection.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

Show More