Georgia Adult Store Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Court

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Love Shack adult store in Johns Creek celebrates its one-year anniversary today on the same day that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments by attorneys H. Louis Sirkin and Cary Wiggins in Love Shack owner John Cornetta's suit against the city.

The court also will hear from Fulton County attorney Steve Rosenberg.

Before the store opened, Cornetta filed suit against the county in federal court because his request for a business license was denied, even though he had planned to have only 25 percent adult product in the store.

"I helped the county write that ordinance, because I had beaten it a year before when it was at 50 percent," Cornetta told XBIZ. "The county attorney and I are old nemeses — and friends.

"I personally found a loophole in Fulton County's ordinances that said you didn't need a business license until 30 days after you open for business. We already had an occupancy permit, so I waited until the 29th. On Dec. 1, the city of Johns Creek became a city, so I opened on the 29th knowing that I didn't need a license for 30 days."

The day after Love Shack opened, Fulton County filed for an emergency restraining order in Superior Court to shut the store down. Judge Jerry Baxter ruled that the county's claim was not an emergency and that the matter should be decided by Judge Thomas Thrash, the federal judge handling the dispute that had been filed before the store opened about the business license.

"They were in a catch-22. By then it had become Johns Creek and it's too late, I'm opened," Cornetta said.

When the business license case was completed, Thrash ruled that the Love Shack was operating as an adult bookstore, finding Cornetta in contempt of court and fining him almost $20,000 before suspending the sentence. The court also ordered Cornetta to reduce his adult inventory by a “significant” amount. When asked for a definition of “significant” by attorney H. Louis Sirkin, Thrash commented that “my order is what my order is.”

"Judge Thrash tried to close us down several times," Cornetta told XBIZ. "Overnight I would change the inventory. I brought in 30,000 items one night that were non-adult."

Cornetta appealed the lower ruling, and earlier this year the 11th Circuit decided to hear the case, setting the date for the 29th.

"All the marbles ride tomorrow, on the day that we opened," Cornetta said Wednesday.

In celebration of the one-year anniversary, Cornetta will give a 35 percent discount on all purchases at the Johns Creek Love Shack.

Related:  

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

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Orion Debuts 'Gyro' Stroker From You2Toys Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the You2Toys Gyro stroker.

Share Satisfaction Debuts 'Evolve Penis Pump' Collection

Wellness brand Share Satisfaction has introduced its new Evolve Penis Pump line.

ULoversDoll Debuts 'Isabella' Love Doll

ULoversDoll has added Isabella to its Top-Cydoll collection.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Motorbunny Launches Direct Wholesale Program

Motorbunny has launched a direct wholesale program for brick-and-mortar retailers and ecommerce sites.

Biird Introduces 'Together' Intimacy Card Game

Biird has debuted its new card game, Together, designed to promote intimacy in couples.

Show More