Georgia Towns Target Tokyo Valentino Owner Via Zoning, Licensing

Georgia Towns Target Tokyo Valentino Owner Via Zoning, Licensing

MARIETTA, Ga. — The saga of Georgia municipalities targeting adult retail businessman Michael Morrison through supposed zoning and license violations continued this week with the revocation of the license for one of his Tokyo Valentino stores in Marietta.

“Tokyo Valentino, at 345 Cobb Parkway South, just across the street from The Marietta Diner, had its license revoked after the city found last week that the store was not authorized to sell as much as 90% of its inventory,” reported the Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ).

The Marietta revocation order questioned the store’s “general merchandise” license as “similar to a license that would be issued to Wal-Mart.”

Police officers were sent by the city to “investigate” Tokyo Valentino, by taking numerous photographs of the store and its adult merchandise, fixating on “total male and female frontal nudity” and “sex toys and sex paraphernalia too extensive to summarize.”

“During two separate visits,” the Marietta Daily Journal reported, “police officers purchased sex toys and adult videos.”

Armed with the shocking evidence that an adult products shop sold adult products, the city moved to shutter the Marietta Tokyo Valentino.

Who Inspects the Inspectors?

Yesterday, Morrison told the MDJ  that “there is no reason why the Marietta store should be closed.”

He said he’s "not sure why the city revoked the business license, but it will definitely be worked out in court.”

The Tokyo Valentino owner announced he will appeal the license revocation and suggested “the inspectors should look at their own code. There is no definition for adult toys/novelties. There’s a definition for adult book store/adult video store.”

Another Tokyo Valentino location in East Cobb which Morrison opened last week is also being targeted by local authorities claiming “it sits less than a mile from an elementary school and near a church.

Morrison told the MDJ that “under county code, a Tokyo Valentino is authorized to operate, so long as it sells only up to 25% adult toys and novelties.”

He added that “the store will stick to that threshold and offers clothing, lingerie, smoke supplies and other items.”

As XBIZ reported last month, Morrison — who is regularly targeted by "morality"-minded Georgia officials — was most recently found in contempt by a DeKalb County judge.

Superior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott ordered the arrest of the pleasure product store owner over a dispute with the city of Brookhaven, which has attempted to put him out of business using zoning regulations and exorbitant fines.

The Brookhaven case highlighted the prosecution of Morrison and his stores as instances of local officials using zoning laws to achieve their ultimate goal: to stamp out adult retail spots on moral grounds.

“We can’t expect quality, community-focused redevelopment around adult-oriented business," local politician Joe Gebbia told the Atlanta Journal Constitution at the time, celebrating the local disruption of Morrison's business. "It took seven years but with this victory justice has been duly served and the future of Buford Highway looks even brighter.”

Brookhaven had “investigated” the Morrison-owned Stardust by sending an undercover inspector to count the sex toys on display.

During a February hearing, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, “a Brookhaven code compliance officer testified that he visited Stardust and found at least 200 sexual devices on display.”

He “stopped counting at 200,” the officer testified.

Copyright © 2024 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

Fleshy to Launch Interactive Cam Site 'Eremote'

Male pleasure brand Fleshy has announced that it will launch an interactive, bidirectional cam site next month called Eremote.

New York Magazine Names 'Magic Wand Rechargeable' Its 'Best Overall Vibrator'

New York Magazine's "The Strategist" vertical has named Vibratex's Magic Wand Rechargeable the best overall vibrator.

Global Novelties Debuts New 'Stoner Vibes' Collection

Global Novelties has introduced its new Stoner Vibes in the Rear collection.

2025 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Retail Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the retail industry edition of the 2025 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 18 in conjunction with XBIZ Expo.

JO to Hold Retail Associate Giveaway Throughout 2025

Lubricant brand JO has announced plans to conduct a retail associate giveaway each month throughout 2025.

Honey Play Box Sponsors La Faye Rose 'Pink October' Fundraiser

Honey Play Box sponsored La Faye Rose’s annual Pink October breast cancer fundraiser event, on Oct. 13.

Pink Toyz Rolls Out New Site Features

Online retailer Pink Toyz has introduced two new website features designed to enhance customer experiences and education.

Dame Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for New 'Hug' Cock Ring

Dame has kicked off an Indiegogo campaign to fund its new Hug cock ring.

Nalpac Releases 2024 Winter Catalog

Nalpac has released its 68-page 2024 winter catalog.

Pipedream Debuts 10 New Pleasure Products for Pre-Order

Pipedream Products is accepting pre-orders for ten new pleasure products.

Show More