Sex shop owner responds to backlash

He tells neighboring residents plans for new store still up in the air.

A metro Atlanta businessman known for his chain of adult emporiums addressed backlash Wednesday from neighbors of a new East Cobb location, saying he hasn’t decided what to do with the space yet.

Michael Morrison has fought a number of local governments for the right to operate his sex shops, which include Tokyo Valentino and Stardust.

Just last week, a DeKalb County judge found Morrison in contempt of court in his ongoing dispute with the city of Brookhaven and ordered him to be locked up for 180 days. Morrison is appealing the ruling.

On Wednesday, Morrison told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he has a diverse array of businesses, and the one planned for 1290 Johnson Ferry Road in Cobb was intended to be an “EDM festival-type wear” clothing store catering to electronic music fans.

But with concerts canceled for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrison said he doesn’t know if the project will go forward.

“It might be a clothing store, it might be a Tokyo store, we just don’t know,” he said. “Everybody has jumped the gun on this and all I can say is whatever is legal and compliant is what we’re going to put there. We haven’t broken any law and we don’t intend to.”

Morrison emphasized that, legally, his stores are considered general retail shops as long as the adult products remain below a certain proportion of all merchandise. He added he was initially unaware of the new store, which he described as a “sub-project from some of my guys.”

The prospect of an adult store in East Cobb has sparked controversy, especially because of its proximity to Mt. Bethel Elementary school. A petition against the store has garnered more than 1,600 signatures.

East Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott attempted to quell residents’ outrage over the holiday weekend after receiving hundreds of emails about it.

Ott wrote in a message to constituents his hands are tied, as the property is already zoned commercial.

“The U.S. Constitution doesn’t allow a county to come in and arbitrarily change existing zoning and/or add stipulations,” Ott wrote. “Since this business meets all of the code requirements, they are not required to come before the Board of Commissioners.”

Despite the company having no business before the board, several residents called in to express their dismay during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s regular meeting.

“Imagine during your daily activities how our children will pass by this establishment to and from school, church, sports activities, dining and shopping,” said Lisa Sims, a 20-year resident of the area. “Perhaps we should all start now in getting our messages ready for how we’ll explain this to our children.”

East Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott says his hands are tied since the property is already zoned commercial and meets county codes.