"Vaginas R' Us."

[HighOnHotSauce]

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/1775087.html

Strip club stirs outrage with less-than-subtle sign
What's obscene and what isn't? Frankly worded billboard infuriates merchants along Century Boulevard near LAX, but the owner says he's merely promoting his business.
By Andrea Sudano
Daily Breeze

A McDonald's near LAX has a big poster outside showing hamburgers, and a neighboring gas station mini-mart ad displays its snacks and beverages.

And now a nearby strip club and adult shop on Los Angeles' Century Boulevard is advertising exactly what it has to offer -- in very plain language.

Passersby on the busy thoroughfare were greeted Tuesday with a freshly posted sign outside the Century Lounge proclaiming "Vaginas R' Us."

As no surprise, the less-than-subtle advertisement has heads turning and adjacent businesses calling for the sign's removal.

"We don't appreciate the signage and we're working with the city (of Los Angeles) to make sure this establishment is adhering to all codes," said Laurie Hughes, executive director of Gateway to L.A., an association that promotes airport-area businesses along Century Boulevard.

The association has urged its board of directors -- mostly managers and owners of surrounding hotels and businesses -- to write letters to the city government and the owner of land on Century and Aviation boulevards.

Juan Garcia, a manager at the Carl's Jr. restaurant next door to the club, said it was just a matter of time until he receives complaints from customers about the sign.

"It'll bring some comments," he said. "It shouldn't be up there."

But Century Lounge owner Howard White insists he's simply advertising his business, and says it's no different than a Broadway marquee hawking a popular play.

"In sort of a naive way, I felt that there was nothing terrible about it since the 'Vagina Monologues' was on Broadway forever," he said. "I didn't feel there was anything terrible about it."

And technically, there isn't, Los Angeles city officials say.

"The word 'vagina' is not an obscene word and we're not in a position to question the First Amendment," Councilman Bill Rosendahl said.

But White won't get off that easy.

Pasted over a portion of the original sign heralding "Live Nude Nude Nudes," the addition is made of plastic vinyl. The material is combustible and violates municipal code standards for pole signs.

White was served with a citation Thursday, and has until close of business Sunday to replace the sign, said David Keim, chief of code enforcement for the city.

White, whose family has used the corner of Century and Aviation boulevards for various businesses for almost 70 years, does not own the land.

Joe Lumer, a representative for landowner LRW Investment Co., declined to comment on the sign but said, as a tenant, White has his rights. His lease from LRW expires in 2009.

The business association has also contacted popular toy store chain Toys "R" Us in hopes a cease-and-desist letter might speed the sign's removal.

Susan McLaughlin, a Toys "R" Us spokeswoman, said the company was aware of the situation and would be "looking into it immediately."

But surrounding businesses better not get their hopes up. While White says he'll change the materials, the wording is staying -- even if Toys "R" Us' Geoffrey the Giraffe is breathing down his neck.

"If I hear anything from them, I'll just change 'us' to 'Vaginas is Us' or 'Vaginas Are Us,' " he said.

This isn't the first time White has pushed the envelope.

In the 1980s, he was told he couldn't use "nude" in a sign. Instead he displayed "N-U-D-E" in big letters and placed a small "g" between the "d" and "e."

No "nude." Just "nudge."

He kept it up for two weeks.

Association members argue the newest sign only reinforces a seedy image the area has worked hard to shed, and shouldn't be one of the first things visitors to Los Angeles should see after leaving the airport.

Toronto resident Martin McCann has spent the past two weeks traveling throughout California with his wife and two sons.

The Century Lounge wasn't on the family's list of attractions to visit while in Los Angeles, and McCann thought the sign was offensive and unnecessary.

"The 'nude, nude' part already gives you a good idea of what's inside," he said.

But some tourists took a more lighthearted approach.

"I love it," said Andrew Mates, from Sydney, Australia. "It's hilarious. I've never seen anything like it. It's the first thing I saw when we got here."

[livius drusus]

Carl's Jr. should be happy the slogan isn't Furburgers R Us. Now that would generate some confused and irate customer complaints.

[HighOnHotSauce]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Carl's Jr. should be happy the slogan isn't Furburgers R Us. Now that would generate some confused and irate customer complaints.

[Clutch Munny]

"We don't appreciate the signage and we're working with the city (of Los Angeles) to make sure this establishment is adhering to all codes,"

That is, even if the sign is legally defensible, we're going to prejudicially apply every possible municipal code to hammer this guy.

[godfry n. glad]

Originally Posted by Clutch Munny

That is, even if the sign is legally defensible, we're going to prejudicially apply every possible municipal code to hammer this guy.

Yep... That's the usual approach to suppressing perfectly legal expression. Now, if he could hire a code inspector from some other municipality, or a retired code inspector, who could, with appropriate codes in hand, go visit each and every neighboring business and delineate the violations which the other businesses had which were not being enforced and make that case.

And, liv? Wouldn't it be "Furburgers Jr."?

[livius drusus]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

And, liv? Wouldn't it be "Furburgers Jr."?

Only in Thailand.

[viscousmemories]

[Crumb]

[MonCapitan2002]

I see nothing wrong with the sign.

[HighOnHotSauce]

Originally Posted by MonCapitan2002

I see nothing wrong with the sign.

Me either, no bid deal, so a sign has the word vagina on it, it's nothing to get excited about.

[viscousmemories]

Speak for yourself! I happen to get plenty excited by the word.

[MonCapitan2002]

I see no point about getting excited about the word unless it means you will be getting to play with the vagina of a woman you like.

[HighOnHotSauce]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

Speak for yourself! I happen to get plenty excited by the word.

I knew someone would get it. I'm just such a witty "punster". Oh man, I need to go back to bed.....

[Shake]

Check out the shirt I'm pointing to:

[viscousmemories]

You're pointing to that shirt?! I've seen that pic a million times and always thought you were just being Fonzie.

[squian]

I bet the hardest legal pressure comes from Toys R Us. Many years ago a web site called Derivatives R Us had to change it's name. They go out of their way to protect that brand name. Maybe he should make the message even more plain, "Live vaginas shown here!"

Although I'm not in favor of any particular legal action against White, it is a sad comment on how women are percieved. Are women nothing more than their genitals? This penis thinks there's much more to look at.

[Shake]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

You're pointing to that shirt?! I've seen that pic a million times and always thought you were just being Fonzie.

It's the physical manifestation of double entendre (if I spelled that correctly). It works as though I'm pointing to it and thinking it cool.

For those who can't read it, it says, "VAGINAS are way cool"