Controversy for a downtown Kitchener business
Posted Mar 14, 2012 09:31:19 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A “private, member’s only hostess lounge” has caused controversy in downtown Kitchener.
Club121 moved into The Tannery over a week ago, and a Kitchener City Councillor says it was kicked out last night.
Although, with the news from Councillor Frank Etherington that Club121 has left The Tannery, also comes the warning that they could re-establish themselves anywhere, whether in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, or across the country.
That’s thanks to a 7-year-old Supreme Court of Canada ruling that basically allowed private sex clubs, as long as the acts are consensual and are done in private.
A loophole Club 121 has been using, Etherington says, and that the landlords of The Tannery, Cadan Inc. were tricked, “I think Cadan was duped, by (Club121) they told Cadan they are a health and wellness business. Then what they do is they bring in a few pieces of gym equipment, and call themselves that.”
Etherington says he and the Mayor, Carl Zehr discussed over email about the city getting legal advice on what they can do to limit them from returning.
“I know that elsewhere in Canada, in Montreal for example, they’re dealing with a similar private club. The procedure is, they come to the municipality and ask for a licence in order to open this type of club. Your average massage parlour has to get two licence’s, a business licence and another licence, and in this particular case (Club121) put themselves across as a private club, with private members, and… it’s a way around the local licensing by-law.”
“It still may be a concern that (Club121) could open up anywhere, in any city.”
Etherington says this type of club is not wanted anywhere in the city, “we’re going to be watching out for that…the very least we can do is watch when we’re approving business licenses, but there is only so much by law that you’re allowed to ask when people come in for that type of licence.”
The clubs now offline website pledged their members will receive “exclusive and entertaining benefit,” like enjoying the company of their “captivating hostesses.”
“The answer is pure and simple, as a distinguished individual, you deserve to be part of an elite atmosphere that will facilitate your right to enjoy the company of someone who is totally devoted to you and truly wants to get to know you in an environment unmatched by any alternatives. Are you ready to see how the other half lives?”
There were links to profiles of the clubs “hostesses,” and also a disclaimer saying the following;
“We are not a “body-rub parlour” – we are a private member’s only hostess lounge. We are not regulated by the City as the City cannot legally regulate places that are not open to the public. We are a legally operating business that adheres to all laws.”
Club121 has not responded to a request for comment.
