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Clinton Hill community, adult shop reach compromise for store to stay in business

After the Romantic Depot's February grand opening, the Clinton Hill community was up in arms because they said the shop was too close to schools and religious establishments to be legal.

News 12 Staff

Jun 2, 2022, 1:34 AM

Updated 917 days ago

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Clinton Hill residents and the store managers of an adult shop say they've worked together to turn controversy in to compromise.
After the Romantic Depot's February grand opening, the Clinton Hill community was up in arms because they said the shop was too close to schools and religious establishments to be legal.
But because the Romantic Depot was registered as a retail store rather than an adult store, owners of the shop and the community were forced to find common ground.
"Romantic Depot, this location, we can all be on one accord and we can all try to unite on an issue of being in the same community with one another," said Rev. Kevin McCall, social justice advocate.
After months of meetings and what they call "bridging the gap," residents said that the Romantic Depot has gone from controversy to compromise.
"The goal is to work with people who have every right to be here, and they do, so we said we will work with you, but we need these things, XYZ and they agreed to do so," McCall explained.
McCall said that the shop took measures, like changing their signage from phrases like "luxury toys" to "health and education." They also installed security cameras in an effort to support businesses surrounding theirs and even did away with blinking signage so as not to attract young children.
"We had concerns that did get addressed and now were moving forward, in the spirit of unity," McCall said.
Management at Romantic Depot, along with locals, and the 88th Precinct plan to meet three times yearly to ensure they are all on the same page.