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Oldtimers remember Commercial Center as a place for wholesome pursuits - picking up a birthday cake in the bakery at Vegas Village, or some hardware (hammers and nails, not computer components) at Von Tobel's, skating the couples' song at the Ice Palace or devouring a pastrami on rye at Commercial Deli.
But on the east edge of Commercial Center, just beyond the very prim and proper folk at John Fish Jewelers, a seamier side of Las Vegas thrives, and has for years.
You've heard the names... the Fantasy Social Club, the Red Rooster Too and the World Famous Green Door... names provocative enough to arouse curiousity yet obscure enough to skate just under the county's radar.
Then along comes Sextasy. Is there any doubt what's on the menu at this establishment, which sought and was denied a restaurant license? Owner David Cooper admits Sextasy is a swingers' club, as is the Green Door - just check its website. Cooper even sought the same licenses as the Green Door and through the same attorney.
The nearby Hawks' Gym and Entourage are licensed as health clubs (though one application specifies "no weights") but in reality are gay bath houses.
Regardless of your moral judgment of such activities, citizens should be concerned about what appears to be selective vision on the part of county licensing, which turns a blind eye to almost all the illicit operations.
Cooper thinks his bad fortune can be traced to politically connected competitors and the county's desire to buy the building for a redevelopment project. We wanted to ask the county about the denial and how it can use taxpayer money to relocate illegal businesses, but no takers.
Hear from Cooper and his attorney, Kristina Wildeveld, tonight.
The County should just allow such facilities, tax and regulate them, as they do in every other county in this State besides Clark and Washoe. Police have better things to attend to than the quasi-legal escort/massage industry in Clark County.
I thought it would be a good idea to post here asap because I have, believe it or not, a cyberstalker/impersonator out there who likes to post using my name saying not so nice things about people, including myself. He/She did it with John L. Smith's article in the LVRJ and it was subsequently removed as false. Ha!
I very much appreciate the opportunity to appear on Jon's show today and have a true voice, he was fair and honest. Thanks also to Dana Gentry! I would like to wait and see what other replies are added before I contribute again to this blog. If I do add anything, it will be under this username. If you see another username posing as me, it is false and misleading and should be regarded as such.
I look forward to a lively discussion with intelligent people on this subject!
First, it is important to note that sex clubs are not legally permitted in Clark County. We take all accusations and allegations of illegal activity seriously and investigate them.
We also conduct routine inspections of businesses applying for new business licenses.
In Mr. Cooper’s case, the inspection of his business revealed that he made false and misleading statements on his business license application. If Mr. Cooper believes we were wrong to deny his license application he has the right to appeal this decision to the Board of County Commissioners.
David Cooper should remember the Commercial Center, As a young man he spent many weekends in the skating rink you mentioned. He was quite the ladies man then and apparently he is now. I remember him, his brother, his dad, his girl friend "T.C", the christmas tree and firewood lot on boulder highway. Your HUGE ford truck cruising Freemont. Your Dads bar on twain. The cabin in Utah.....Ya I remember my friend David.