STANTON : Strip Club Drops Suit Against City

A strip club that was shut down by the city in March has dropped its lawsuit seeking to reopen.

Beverly Hills lawyer G. Randall Garrou, who represents the Fun House at 11572 Beach Blvd., said he asked a judge Tuesday to dismiss the case. It was set to go to trial on Sept. 7.

“We would prefer to sit down with the city and resolve our differences,” he said.

Garrou said he has been talking with the city to find another place where the Fun House could open.

The city’s adult entertainment ordinance prohibits strip clubs and other businesses offering adult entertainment from operating within 300 feet of a residential zone. According to a city study, there are 268 locations that are not within 300 feet of residential areas.

“We’re sure that there are other places that they could locate,” said City Atty. Thomas W. Allen. “The city has quite a number of other areas.”

The Fun House opened as a comedy club in February, but switched to all-nude dancing to increase business. Strippers performed in the club for only one night before the city demanded a halt, according to club manager Stuart Cadwell.

Cadwell said other sites in the city are too expensive to develop.

“If we can’t find a spot, we’ll probably file a lawsuit that says it’s unconstitutional,” Garrou said of the city ordinance.

Allen said he doubts the Fun House will find the legal grounds for another lawsuit.

“We don’t think the Constitution requires the city to be the real estate agent for the adult businesses,” he said.