Alexandria, Virginia- Monday the Mayor and City Manager and other officials met with Bo Kenney, owner of Le Tache, hoping to iron out a compromise that would make the store more visually palatable to neighboring businesses and City residents.
According to Kenney, “The bottom line for the City is that the store is tasteful and fits into the community. From what we gathered, they thought we were moving in that direction,” Kenney said. “We’re not a plague on the City. We can be an enhancement.”
Kenney is in the process of buying the building, which is located at 210 King Street. Kenney also owns nine MVC Late Night Video stores across the region. The three levels of Le Tache are full of X-rated DVD’s, novelties, blow-up dolls, oils, creams, condoms, lingerie in various prints, bustiers, and costumes such as the “Naughty Chef” and the “Nurse on Call.”
Mayor Bill Euille announced that he planned to meet with Kenney at Saturday’s City Council meeting. “I have received many emails from Alexandrians who do not believe that this is an appropriate business for Old Town,” Euille said. “While I agree that this type of business does not fit with the ambiance with our Old and Historic District, we are a business friendly city and I want to see if we can work out some kind of compromise to make this more appropriate for the character of Old Town.
“I have asked the City Attorney, the Planning Director and the Director of Code Enforcement to check and recheck if there is anything that precludes this business from operating here. They have told me that everything is in order,” Euille said.
Kenney said he walked into today’s meeting with an attorney whose “services weren’t really needed. We were given the opportunity to tell about our store, our vision and where we are going with it and the City seemed happy that we’ve been fixing the up building and doing basic maintenance.”
Not only are basic repairs being done, Kenney has hired neighboring retailer Decorium to redesign the interior of the shop. In an estimated eight to 10 weeks, Le Tache will be completely renovated, with new furniture, paint, wallpaper and lighting.
Kenney had nothing but good things to say about Euille. “To tell you the truth, I’ve never felt any more welcomed than in any other community I’ve opened a store in. (Euille) seems like he’s pro business, and when you look at it from that perspective, it was refreshing to talk with people who thought with their minds,” Kenney said, adding that “The State of Virginia is advertised as being for lovers. All we want to do is fit in and be a part of the community.”
