Workers make renovations to a location on Devine St. that documents show will be an adult video store.
Columbia, SC (WLTX) - News19 has learned an adult video store is scheduled to open at a location on Columbia's Devine Street, and not everyone agrees it should be there.
"I don't think it's going to bring anything positive to the area," said Dr. Andrew Fields of Fields Chiropractic. "I mean this is a very neat, very old school part of town that has remained very vibrant. We have a lot of traffic and a lot of businesses here and I just think it's a negative impact on our business community."
Documents show Taboo Adult Superstore has a business licence and will open at the location at 4716 Devine Street. That building was a Taco Bell several years ago, and is a few blocks away from where the new Whole Foods store will be built.
"When we're done it's going to look beautiful," Jeff White told News 19. White is listed as an owner/partner on the business license. "You're always going to have people who are for it and people who are against it. We're complying with all of the laws."
Construction crews are working to renovate the building and convert it from its former use as a restaurant.
"We have all the rights to the building," said owner/partner White.
"This location was approved," Johnathan Chambers, the zoning administrator for the City of Columbia told News 19 today. He said the store was approved by zoning on November 21 and by building inspections on December 5 of this year.
City ordinances say adult stores must be 500 feet away from churches, grade schools, day cares, or residential areas, meaning the place meets the proper guidelines. A Google Maps church showed three churches and six schools within a mile of the location.
News19 has spoken with business owners in the area who say they are concerned about this type of store opening in this part of town.
"I think my opinion is shared by others in the community. This is not going to bring any positive development to our area," said Fields.