"OLATHE, Kan. -- A local woman wants Spencer's Gifts designated as an adult business. KMBC's Martin Augustine reported that the store is full of kitschy, pop-culture stuff. Some of it is off color. But it also carries adult products. It is the combination that has Sharon Hodle demanding that City Hall step in.
"You can't have it. This is just completely inexcusable," Hodle said.
Hodle said she ran into the store because she needed a last-minute Christmas gift. But when she saw a certain picture next to the cash register, she was so offended that she asked the clerk to remove it. But the clerk would not do so without the boss' consent. That upset Hodle, who expected raunchy stuff in the store -- the gag gifts that might entertain both kids and grownups. But in addition to those items, Hodle saw adult items that, in her opinion, were far too accessible.
"You cannot be combining the pathways of children and teens and adults seeking sex toys, books, whatever, under any circumstances. It's just a dangerous thing and we can't have it," Hodle said. Hodle took the issue to the City Council, asking council members to designate the store as an adult business.
Augustine reported that although Spencer's does carry adult products, it is not considered an adult business unless it meets a certain sales threshold for its adult stuff. If that threshold was met, the shop would have to move to a part of the city zoned specifically for adult businesses. A city official said an inquiry is under way into what the shop is selling.
"It's really not a battle that I chose, it's a battle that chose me. Maybe somebody else might have looked at that offensive item and thought, 'Whoo, that's bad,' and walked away," Hodle said. Augustine reported that Spencer's corporate office was closed before he could reach a representative for comment. The store's Web site said that it aims to provide innovative, fun and humorous products supporting the lifestyle of its target audience: adults 18 to 25."
I saw this on the news last night. Look at the third sentence in the second paragraph. This lady wouldn't have taken action if the clerk would just have put the offensive item under the shelf until the lady was gone. So, is this just a spite reaction? Let's see if we can't waste more taxpayer's money? I don't know of a soul who has been in Spencer's that
doesn't realize they sell some pretty iffy stuff there.
