After about four years of legal battles, Paradise Gentlemen’s Club owner John Ferra and his partners can now open up shop.
“Really, it's been like 100 hurdles over here, so it's hard to keep track. For one fight it's been like 100 fights,” said Ferra.
Action News Jax has followed the fight since the beginning, reporting on how the business has been the focus of upset neighbors and city council members who don’t want the establishment in their backyard.
“I think the neighborhood can function very well without it,” said one neighbor.
The issue ended up in federal court after club owners argued that the city was violating their First Amendment rights by refusing to grant them zoning approval.
A federal magistrate sided with the business in 2014 and ordered the city to issue the permits.
The city ended up settling with the club owners and paying their attorneys' fees.
City council member Danny Becton, who represents the area where the business is located, said council members voted to change the city’s ordinance to better define the word “dancing.”
But since the law was changed after the club applied for permits, a judge ruled that it didn’t apply and the city had to comply with the business' request.
While there are a lot of critics, the business also has some supporters, including barber Paris McClain, who works at Razor's Edge across the street.
“We can go over there and put some fliers out on the cars, meet the people there, potential clients. So I mean, I'm sorry, but I'm just looking at the monetary gain,” said McClain.
The club has been in the build-out phase since 2014. Owners launched a soft opening last week, and Ferra said they'll begin more promotion in the coming days.
The business has also hired at least 25 employees, including armed security guards.
Ferra said that despite the community's concerns, he wants to make sure people know what his business will not be.
“It's not somewhere illegal activity is happening. That's one thing,” said Ferra.
According to Becton, any other adult entertainment business looking to open in his district will have to be approved under the new city ordinance.
Cox Media Group
