For the first time since Spanky’s went out …

… there’s a sign on Cali prominently advertising “adult” merchandise.

We noticed the new “adult DVDs” addition to the sign at the Short Stop market on the north edge of Morgan Junction several days ago and felt a little hinky about it, but then thought, nah, we’re just prudes. A day later, we got reader e-mail voicing concern, and we decided it’s worth raising the question here. The reader wrote, in part:

It’s lit up and elevated up on a big pole, which is unfortunate for the neighborhood. What’s next, strip clubs? Now when my family comes to visit, I’ll have to tell them “Take a right at the Adult DVD store.”Ã‚Â

Now, in fairness, this sign is not exactly next to a school or day-care center. Chuck & Sally’s Tavern is the second building to the north, Beveridge Place Pub is the next one south. But it is next to the site of a future park, and smack in the middle of a neighborhood in transition — with a big condo conversion and future townhomes also steps away. So what do you think? “Unfortunate,” as the reader wrote? Or no big deal?

eric August 21, 2007 (1:25 pm)

don’t like it? don’t shop there.
most minimarts sell adult materials – most just don’t advertise.

it is highly unlikely that in the city of Seattle, you’ll be seeing new strip clubs anywhere soon.

JT August 21, 2007 (1:36 pm)

Isnt that what high speed internet was developed for ?

JumboJim August 21, 2007 (1:43 pm)

Better an adult DVD than the Schmidt, Rainier or Bud beer they sell. Some things just shouldn’t be allowed – and swill like that is a menace to society.

The Doggg Father August 21, 2007 (1:53 pm)

Yup, you’re a prude. Get over it, it’s one of the most profitable industries out there and it’s not really up to you what the store sells as long as it’s legal.

Keith August 21, 2007 (1:54 pm)

Yes, this is definitely a sign that strip clubs are next. In fact, the new park will double as a training ground for strippers. They’ll use the playground equipment to practice their pole work.

Sheesh. This reader needs to relax a little bit. Couldn’t this person just as easily say, “Take a right at the Short Stop or mini mart” or whatever the street name is? Why do they have to focus on the element of that business that they don’t like?

TeaLady August 21, 2007 (2:00 pm)

No big deal…much more important things to focus on. At least it’s not blinking neon sign with porn stars’ names or anything.

G. Williams August 21, 2007 (2:07 pm)

Like JT, I’m faintly surprised that there’s still anyone left who doesn’t get their pr0n on the Internet.

Wes C. Addle August 21, 2007 (2:19 pm)

What’s wrong with Rainier Beer?

Ginger Rodgers August 21, 2007 (2:41 pm)

I’ll just tell the kids it’s “R” rated DVD’s, and smoking is only for adults – the sign does just say “adult DVD’s and Smokes”.

Not like it says, “SEX HERE” or “LAP DANCES $1” or something else really pushing it.

Not a big deal in my book.

Bill August 21, 2007 (2:47 pm)

The reader does make a valid point. DVD’s lead to stripclubs just like coffee leads to crack and gay marriage leads to bestiality. Slippery slope indeed.

SomeGuy August 21, 2007 (2:49 pm)

Where do I sign up for this “Internet”?

Random side note – guys, remember when you were a kid and found an old Playboy in the woods or maybe in your friend’s garage? What a treasure that was, to be carefully hidden and guarded at all costs.

Shame my kids will never get to experience the taboo thrill of a tattered Penthouse…

A August 21, 2007 (2:57 pm)

Totally not a big deal. I love porn! :)

Angela August 21, 2007 (2:58 pm)

I really miss the teriyaki from Short Stop. It was our favorite and I’m still bummed that they stopped cooking.

Kevin Hope August 21, 2007 (3:03 pm)

Is Porn a bad thing? I keep forgetting that we don’t live in a sex positive society.

The Velvet Bulldog August 21, 2007 (3:06 pm)

The marketplace will prevail. If there’s an audience, the product and the sign will stay, if not, they won’t.

JetCityOrange August 21, 2007 (3:19 pm)

Hey. If it’s in the hood, at least one can park across the street and keep tabs on neighbors, family, and spouses.

Get a grip folks. We’re all adults, the 1st amendment is a good thing, born agains should butt out, and freedom of the press still belongs to those that own one (or have a good distributor).

JT August 21, 2007 (3:32 pm)

WSB – I bet you thought you had lost your audience with all of your I-5 coverage, but this sure woke them up. Once again a job well done ! I’m really waiting for Jiggers to jump in.

Flowerpetal August 21, 2007 (3:54 pm)

Before I clicked on “comments” I was steeling myself for a barage of conservative flack. What a nice surprise to read reasonable views. I’m sure I could pass that sign a dozen times before noticing the new business venture. There goes the neighborhood indeed… right into Constitutionaly guaranteed freedoms. Thanks WSB’ers.

MkH August 21, 2007 (4:00 pm)

Maybe it’ll help keep the condos at a reasonable price… I’d say we could use a few REALLY smutty signs about now.

Admiral Resident August 21, 2007 (4:23 pm)

I think the real question here is, “How many cans of Schmidt do you get for $6.99, 12 or 24?”

Lou August 21, 2007 (4:25 pm)

this person is way too sensitive…I bet they don’t like the playboy mud flaps either…hmmm – I should get those for my minivan!

Anyway, the sign looks better, if my memory is correct, then before…ie, it appears cleaned up. It’s not like it has naked women or suggestive words on it. I can’t believe people get so uptight.

Agen August 21, 2007 (4:30 pm)

Well, I think I’d trade this sign for the blaring colors of the Southwest Plumbing animated sign in my neighborhood.

JW August 21, 2007 (4:39 pm)

I would very much like for WSB to lead the charge against this establishment, not b/c I have a problem with adverts for porn, but because it’s the most hideously ugly place for at least 10 blocks around. Why real estate developers can’t target this place for demolishing instead of the nicely-proportioned and decently maintained building with the martial arts school up the street is a rank injustice.

CandrewB August 21, 2007 (4:53 pm)

Couldn’t agree more JW. That shack looks straight out of the third world. Is the land owned by the Alki Lumber Baron?

J August 21, 2007 (5:37 pm)

Call me old fashion. But I prefer my porn on VHS or even beta tapes. None of this high speed internet crap for me. And just for having the nads to post that sign, the short stop can add me to their customer base.
Hurray!

And PS. Does anybody else dislike the “Sky is falling mentality” of the original person who wrote to WSB? What’s next? What’s next. Get a grip.

GenHillOne August 21, 2007 (5:39 pm)

LOL – that was my thought…leave the sign, bulldoze the trashy building!

Stu August 21, 2007 (5:42 pm)

I walk by this place all the time with our family and dog. It attracks a terrible crowd. I would think it can’t get much worse than it already is.

Lets move this place to the admiral, how about right there where the bagel place is, add the signs for cheap beer, cig’s and porn, and see what type of comments we get.

flipjack August 21, 2007 (6:09 pm)

hehehe he said big pole…hehehhe
“ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s lit up and elevated up on a big pole.”
how freudian of them.

pops August 21, 2007 (6:12 pm)

Excuse me, but if memory serves, didn’t The Video Vault have an adult titles section? So this is not a new developement on that block right?

What I worry about is the old folks home up the street. That sign could just be gettin’ their blood pressure up and puttin’ ideas in their heads.

Todd in Westwood August 21, 2007 (6:45 pm)

Maybe we can mow it down and put up another Starbuck’s. I mean sheesh, I might have to walk a block for a cup of coffee in that part of town. Better yet, a drive thru!

The House August 21, 2007 (7:34 pm)

I’ll be the first to admit that I watched so much porn in my teens and twenties that I have hair growing in my eyes and palms, but now I am a Dad and I see things a bit differently.

The owner of the shop has every right in the world to sell Adult DVDs. MJ residents have every right in the world not to want them to sell the product. The best way to deal with the issue is to speak with the owner directly. Perhaps he/she would listen. If not, I would fight them with my wallet or lack thereof. I don’t live in MJ, but if I did I would be embarrassed to have it in my neighborhood.

Russell August 21, 2007 (7:37 pm)

It is not appropriate to be selling or marketing smut near playgrounds or schools. If this business owner choses to do so, then the neighbors should stop doing business with him. I would recommend that people get their beer and groceries at Thriftway and take their dry cleaning to the nice people up on Morgan and 35th. The people who live in Morgan Junction should not let their community be undermined because one geedy business owner doesn’t care how he makes a buck.

Fo real August 21, 2007 (7:49 pm)

Cant a WS-ite get a 40 and DveeD in the same stoe ! Sho some love.

Lou August 21, 2007 (8:03 pm)

How about a drive thru starbucks with porn?!?

Velvet Bulldog August 21, 2007 (9:02 pm)

LOL–Lou, you rock. Ordering a mocha “with whip” just took on a whole new meaning.

Bubba August 21, 2007 (9:26 pm)

What’s really upsetting is to realize that this means there are people in WS who watch porn…oh my. Are the bakeries tied to this demographic somehow?

2ndC August 21, 2007 (9:29 pm)

I like the snappy sayings posted at the Lusty Lady, possibly the owner could install a readerboard as well? It could lighten up the neighborhood.

Todd in Westwood August 21, 2007 (9:46 pm)

HA! Priorities please, drive thru porn, THEN coffee. I would think Starbuck’s porn would be kinda mainstream and maybe smells burnt.

Jan August 21, 2007 (9:55 pm)

hehehehehehe…that’s the first time I laughed all day…it’s been a tough one. Thanks to you all for making my evening…:D :D

quiz August 21, 2007 (10:21 pm)

It doesn’t matter…that building will be torn down shortly…

Picklemom August 21, 2007 (10:42 pm)

The sign is butt-ugly. But the new condo “townhomes” springing up everywhere are much more offensive.

chas redmond August 21, 2007 (10:54 pm)

I can’t prove it, but doesn’t Apu have an adult section in the Quickie Mart? Marge would probably be the first one to check out a DVD and Lisa would probably have some cool Jazz riff on her sax to go with it. Didn’t realize Morgan Junction had turned into Springfield. Us Morgan Junctionites need an acronym, how ’bout MoJu – or better still, and appropriate to the thread – MoJunct pronounced mo-junk). Actually I really like MoJunct the more I pronounce it. That would leave West Seattle with AdJunct and MoJunct with AlJunct – or simply Junct – in the middle. Think of the possibilities – the Junct Peninsula. With the way Delridge joins Roxbury and 16th, and the old streetcar which ran down Delridge, we could even call White Center WhiteJunct when it gets annexed. Or, maybe RatJunct.

Erin August 21, 2007 (10:56 pm)

Flipjack – that comment rocks!!!

And I am with JumboJim – I will take the porn over Budweiser ANY day!!

Jan August 22, 2007 (12:55 am)

Chas…hahahahahaha…it’s almost 1 AM, and you just cracked me up….thanks :o)

Chet August 22, 2007 (7:55 am)

Great comments everyone. I have NO issue with porn. Just wanted to add that one thing I have noticed over the years in Seattle though is that deciding to sell porn is often a final move by a business to stay alive. It may not be the case with this joint but I have seen it happen to other, similar, businesses. They all ended up going out of business anyway. And yes, Video Vault, which used to be a few doors down, did used to rent porn. Yes, they did not have a sign out front but no big deal. Jiggers we’re still waitin’ to hear from ya :)

Kyle August 22, 2007 (9:16 am)

I can only hope this leads to strip clubs in WS, I am tired of having to go all the way downtown just to get a lap dance. I am OK with them putting it right across from the Rocksport, beside the old folks home.

Clem August 22, 2007 (9:37 am)

There is a misunderstanding here:

This is not a new business venture for The Short Stop’s owners. They have been selling adult magazines and dvds for an extended period of time. Only the sign is new.

eric August 22, 2007 (10:13 am)

Flowerpetal — it’s not the conservatives you need to be worried about. Mayor Gridlock is no conservative and look what he and the council have done with strip clubs. Not that I am promoting more of them, but I don’t think our city leaders should be repressing what is indeed a legal enterprise.

Of course, it’s all in the name of being a “world class city” – which PDX has no problem being with more strip clubs per capita than pretty much anywhere.

It’s just plain ignorant to lump anyone who finds something repulsive as a conservative. I for one say it’s a free country and they should be able to sell what they want.

Maybe the city should actually embrace this market – I smell a new “sin” tax for them!

Chet August 22, 2007 (12:36 pm)

What / where / when was Spanky’s? The gay adult video that was up next to Curves?

Pole Posistion August 22, 2007 (2:00 pm)

I’m more surprised at the fact they finally fixed the sign after how many years?

Chet August 22, 2007 (3:59 pm)

pole position LOL

Jan August 22, 2007 (6:01 pm)

Chet…yes..that was Spanky’s…now a closed up eyesore. The guy who ran it seemed, to me, a bit strange…he also tuned piano’s , if I recall correctly, and actually had him tune mine a long time ago. It’s a prime spot for…development….don’t you think? hehe

Chet August 23, 2007 (7:25 am)

Yes it is an eyesore. Also, I always thought it was strange to have a porno shop attached to a gym for women but I guess it was somewhat ok because it was gay porn. My anti development arse would love to see something go in at that location. Spanky’s .. what a great name for an “adult book store”. LOL
Cheers Jan. Hope you are feeling good.

donald August 23, 2007 (6:27 pm)

I always figured that the porno shop next to Curves was due to convienent glory hole placement, but I hadn’t realised that it was a gay porno shop. Yeah the Short Stop has been selling porno for a long time. For quite some time I questioned if it was even open or not, then a friend of mine told me he found the best ramen noodles in there, and he was going in to get those, then one day it dawned on him that they had a pretty large selection of porno. I think its pretty awesome because if I ever get the urge to go get a porno DVD, I can just go up the street. No more long download times, excessive PPV fees, or the worst alternative, having to go to Rat Center.

Jan August 23, 2007 (7:50 pm)

now, Donald…how do you know about the placement of said “glory holes” ;-)

Gina August 23, 2007 (8:42 pm)

The Spanky’s guy was something else. A friend of mine went in and chatted with him to figure out if the porn was what he was interested in. When he asked about the hours he was told that the store was open 6 days a week, but closed on Sunday, because the Lord said it was a day of rest.

Originally Spanky’s was called something different, and was more of a head shop, with a minor porn selection. People complained about there being a head shop so close to Madison and West Seattle and that the students might be attracted to the place. He was so pissed off by all the complaints that he boarded up all the windows and switched to 100% porn. No one under 18 admitted.