Friday, June 7, 2002
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Friday, June 7, 2002 |
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New York Video is now a distant memory By JANET
McGREGOR
It has been a long time coming, but New York Video is finally a chapter in the history books of Union City. Located on one of the main entrances to Shannon Southpark Mall, off Jonesboro Road, the X-rated video store opened its door in late 1997 in the midst of strong opposition from the community. The store, which sold sex toys, adult videos, lingerie, magazines and gifts, came in as the Union City Council was in the process of finalizing a stronger ordinance to regulate adult entertainment businesses. Union City Mayor Ralph Moore said the video store met all the criteria of the code in place at the time, and the City Council "had no choice but to issue a license." Citizens from Union City and the surrounding areas immediately organized the Concerned Citizens of South Fulton to battle the opening of the store. The group picketed the store garnering media attention throughout the Atlanta region. Mayor Moore joined protestors in picketing the site. Michael Morrison, CEO of Focus Entertainment, has been in and out of court continually from the time it first became public knowledge that he intended to locate the store in the area. One week prior to the store's opening it received an eviction notice from the landlord, Payless Shoe Source. Payless claimed the video store did not disclose its true type of business on the lease, misrepresenting itself. Morrison responded by countersuing, charging breach of contract and slander. Moore said over 100 citations for violations of code have been issued during the time the store was in operation. The city currently has a lawsuit pending against the company. Moore was pleased to announce the closing of the adult store at the last City Council meeting. He recapped what had transpired since the store moved to the area, stating the city had a strong "adult entertainment ordinance in place now." Saying some in the community, and on the City Council, had wanted to "go over and lock the doors," he noted the action would not have held up under the law. Referring to the numerous citations and legal cases surrounding the triple-X store, he said they "followed the letter of the law," went through the proper legal channels, and New York Video was finally gone. The ongoing litigation to evict the adult store ended a few weeks ago, with Payless winning in the State Court of Appeals. Payless immediately began the eviction process, but Morrison chose to immediately vacate rather than be evicted.
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