CANTON – Adult videos, magazines and books no longer are for sale at 3255 Cleveland Ave. NW.
XTC, an adult video business that used the building, has closed, and customers are being referred to a store in Akron. The store’s shutdown forced a tattoo parlor, Shintai, to close its doors.
The closing might be the result of arrests made two weeks ago by an undercover Canton police officer. Neighborhood actions against the business also may have been a factor.
Jim Leger, owner of the XTC stores, said he wouldn’t comment on why he decided to close the business.
The owner of the tattoo parlor said he was told that Leger has sold the building. The tattoo parlor owner, who wouldn’t give his name, said he didn’t know why Leger decided to close the store and sell the building.
A man spent Tuesday afternoon taking apart display racks in the store and tossing the wood into a trash bin.
“In the end, it appears the business has thrown in the towel, which is a great victory for the neighborhood,” said Police Chief Dean McKimm.
The store opened in May 2002 and immediately drew complaints from neighbors. During the past two years they have protested outside the store, complained to city hall and filed lawsuits.
Their complaints had city zoning inspectors and undercover police officer monitoring the store.
Two weeks ago, an undercover officer visiting the store saw what he considered to be lewd behavior in an area where customers could pay to watch videos. A customer was charged with lewd behavior and an employee was cited for violations of regulations pertaining to viewing booths. The customer pleaded guilty and paid a fine. But the case against the employee is pending and he is being represented by the company’s lawyer.
McKimm said the business didn’t generate an excessive number of complaints. But vice investigators would periodically visit the store to see if any illegal activity was taking place.
The store’s closing surprised neighbors.
“My first reaction was it was just almost unbelievable,” said Bill Aston, one of the neighbors of XTC. “It was almost surreal, and now we’re waiting for the details to come out.
“We’re just hoping that it’s the final thing and it’s not some type of ploy,” said Aston, one of the XTC pickets.
Brian Zimmerman, the attorney who represents the neighbors in a lawsuit against XTC, was out of the country and could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
“Nothing is coming forth,” Aston said of XTC’s management. “Everybody is very quiet. Nobody’s saying anything. There’s no statements coming forward. All we know is it’s closed, at least temporarily. I don’t know if it’s permanent or not.”
By Sunday, he said, a sign was posted at XTC, telling customers to go to the Akron store. In recent days, Aston said, the video store also turned off its neon lights.