BALTIMORE — Larry Flynt is one step closer to opening one of his Hustler strip clubs in downtown Baltimore.
Flynt’s Hustler club boasts it will be the biggest and most luxurious club on the block, but many people who work around here say a big new strip bar is not what Baltimore needs.

Midway through the downtown area known as The Block, a new neighbor will soon light up the strip. There is still caution tape up, but it won’t be long before the new club opens in November.

“We’re just trying to get some of the plumbing done, some of the flooring done,” said Justin Mohney of the Hustler Club. “This place is a little more classy and a little more spacious, too.”

But out on Baltimore Street, downtown workers want their own space away from the smut.

“I love the city and I want nothing but positive things to occur and I don’t think that’s one of them,” said Marsha Cayford. “We walk from our office to the parking lot.”

“When you’re walking down the street having to deal with the people driving up, talking to you, making remarks to you, it’s not a comfortable situation,” said Julie O’Connor. “(It) doesn’t add anything positive to the image of Baltimore.”

Inside the Hustler Club, the focus is more on the image of future clients than the future of the city.

“We’ve got a VIP room, like, two VIP rooms, so if you’ve got, like, a bachelor party or a frat party, whatever, you can go up there pay $500 and, like, chill in that room,” said Mohney.

The club is set to open in November.