LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington officials are asking Jimmy Flynt to be more specific about the kinds of products he plans to sell at his new Hustler store in Lexington.
The city is dissatisfied with an initial list of products Flynt said he would sell in the store near Interstate 75 and Winchester Road. Flynt, the brother of Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, has said he won’t offer adult magazines, movies or novelties, but he will sell Hustler apparel and other merchandise as well as coffee and snacks.
The list Flynt submitted about two weeks ago “simply came back with books and novelties,” said Alex Olszowy, a city code enforcement supervisor.
Flynt said he believes he submitted an adequate list.
“The law department got involved, and my lawyers hashed it out,” Flynt said in a telephone interview. “They were satisfied with what I gave them.”
Flynt said he would cooperate with the city’s wishes and promised his merchandise would “be unique and different.”
“When they see how nice this place is, most people will see that we’re running a good operation,” he said.
Flynt also has stores in Cincinnati and Monroe, Ohio, and in San Diego and Hollywood.
Flynt hopes to open this week and possibly have a grand opening when his brother, Larry, comes to town July 26. Larry Flynt is on a nationwide book tour.
Last year, Jimmy Flynt proposed a coffee shop with retail sales, but the board of adjustment denied him a permit to open at 2240 Elkhorn Road with an adult bookstore and adult video store.
In March, the Urban County Council unanimously approved a zoning amendment to prohibit adult bookstores, video stores, cabarets, and adult dancing and entertainment establishments at interstate interchanges.
Flynt agreed to open a store without the adult materials. Last week, the city gave him permission to stock the shelves.
“I’ve been merchandising, organizing and advertising,” he said.
But Flynt can’t open his doors until building inspectors give him the occupancy permit.
“We will do an inspection before we give him” the permit, Olszowy said.