Adult Sex Toy Store Plans to Shut Down

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The owner of Taboo, a heavily-opposed sexually oriented business in Columbia, says after a continued battle with the city leaders, other companies and residents, he is prepared to hang a ‘Going Out of Business’ sign. The sex toy store that has rocked and shocked a community could soon become a sports bar. In a phone interview with ABC Columbia News, owner Jeff White, said, “Due to the opposition to this business, I have decided that I am willing to abandon this business plan.” He goes on to say he is negotiating with a sports bar operator to turn the adult novelty store, located at 4716 Devine Street, into a sports bar and restaurant. When asked the reason he plans to fold, he said, “They change the law, stick it to you, even when you comply with the old law. I don’t want to fight this battle.” The battle he refers to is Columbia City Council’s new special business licensing ordinance. Leaders say the former ordinance had been in effect for 13 years with no changes. New changes state a sexually oriented business must be at least 700 sq. feet from locations likes schools and churches; the prior distance was at least 500 sq. feet. However, after public outcry from neighboring businesses and residents about Taboo opening and operating, council opted to re-examine the way it licenses sexually oriented businesses, even though Taboo complied with all original paperwork and zoning requirements with the city prior to the new ordinance. The owner says, the $75 thousand investment thus far, isn’t worth what he calls ‘hatred’ from other businesses and local government. “We went from standing on hard ground to standing on thin ice. The new ordinance is the nail in the coffin.” Jeff White says he and the investor who wishes to open the sports bar are submitting necessary paperwork to the City of Columbia and will proceed when they get a response. The City says it has not received an application for an additional business to operate in that location.