There’s always someone willing to endanger others and skirt the law to make a fast buck. Meet the Sofi Ryan of West Peoria. . .
After a citizen complaint, the Green Door Video-Erotic Boutique of West Peoria, Illinois has stopped offering curbside service during the state’s coronavirus lockdown.
Furthermore, the sex shop has closed completely, according to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Early this week, the sheriff’s office received a complaint that although the business had closed to foot traffic, a sign there offered curbside service.
The business’s Facebook page includes posts declaring a right to stay open as a curbside service during the state’s stay-at-home order.
A March 23 post stated,
The Green Door has not closed its doors in over 40 years. However, in the event of a national pandemic, we do NOT fall under the blanket of ESSENTIAL BUSINESS. But just because the doors are locked, does not mean we are still not available. If you need something from us and you know exactly what it is, you can give us a call … and we will do what the restaurants are doing and bring it out to your car.
Furthermore, a March 22 post apparently tried to cast the Green Door’s products to medical necessities: “In light of recent news, the Green Door will continue to be open as we are part of ‘the fundamental building blocks that keeps our society safe and steady.’” The post further stated that the business — “the best and most stocked store of intimate adult pleasure items to help during this hectic quarantine” — includes “FDA-approved” and “doctor-prescribed” products, along with “medical marijuana pipes.”
The state’s stay-at-home order “closes all nonessential establishments, including most retail, recreation and entertainment businesses.” Exceptions, such as grocery stores and medical offices, are noted in the order and apparently do not include the Green Door’s retail focus.
About 3:30 p.m. Monday, a deputy went to West Peoria City Hall to obtain a copy of the stay-at-home order, according to a sheriff’s report. The deputy visited the Green Door and talked to a manager, who said he thought curbside service was permitted.
“He stated he believed he could still operate since he sells FDA-approved items,” the deputy wrote in his report. “I informed (the manager) this was not the case.”
The deputy showed the manager a copy of the state order. The manager then closed the store.
Journal-Star
One Response
People are trying to make a living in an industry that won’t see any bailout money. It wasn’t the correct thing to do for sure but not many of us can go months with no paycheck or way to earn.