Should We Get Our Panties In A Twist Over Naughty Lingerie? (Alexandria: construction, zoning)

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I don't get it either. There was a huge stink about that one opening in Old Town Manassas a few months ago. It just leaves me scratching my head.

Yup and I actually walked passed it last week. We had lunch at Ramblin's and it was right there. Display was nothing to get hot and bothered about it.

[FindingZen]

I guess there's something about placing lingerie stores in "Old Towns" or "King Streets" as there's yet another establishment in Old Town Alexandria...on King Street!

Assuming all three downtowns are promoting themselves as a generally "family-friendly" area - and attract those who see it that way - then I can understand how there might be some backlash about the arrival of something a bit "naughtier" than Victoria's Secret.

Then again, assuming that the storefront are as tasteful as the one in OTA, I don't believe this is the start of any burgeoning red light districts in NOVA.

[normie]

I don't know why it would matter if it's near the Courthouse. Judges buy lingerie, too. (And they can afford those pricey nighties! )

It might even be handy. Say the courts run short of handcuffs one day. They could just run over to the store and pick up a pair of fur lined ones!

[normie]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Then again, assuming that the storefront are as tasteful as the one in OTA, I don't believe this is the start of any burgeoning red light districts in NOVA.

The only "red light district" Leesburg's likely to get is the section of Rt 7 that has too many traffic lights.

[statecollege]

Shouldn't be a problem -- unless the window displays are using real models!

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Caladium

I can't believe there are people who are upset about a naughty lingerie shop opening in the historic section of King Street in Leesburg.

For those who don't know Leesburg, King Street is downtown and across the street from the courthouse. It mostly has gift shops, candle shops, restaurants, and touristy type stores. Sort of like Old Town Alexandria.

I don't understand why there would be an objection. It's not like they have porno on display in the window. IMO the window displays at Victoria Secrets in the mall are worse than what you see at Le Tache. Some people fear it will make Leesburg seedy, but Old Town Alexandria has a shop run by the same company, and that area hasn't become seedy.

What do you guys think?

Overreaction. There are a lot of pure adult-material stores close to me in Kentucky. If "neo-conversative" KY allows that, then why wouldn't a tasteful lingerie shop be allowed in "hyper-liberal" NoVA?

Did your conversation here center on how much Northern VA sucked?

You again?

I think RR's comment centered on the local insecurity of some people when something that is seen as progressive is built within close proximity of them. They don't want it near them. That's the spirit of NIMBYism.

[bmwguydc]

It's funny how some stores attact more controversy, especially when they appear (to my eye) to be much tamer than offerings at other stores, say the stores in Georgetown, for example. It's interesting, though, and goes to the old heart of Leesburg, IMO, where it was free from "city" influences.

It's good for the controversy, though, for the free advertising, not unlike the Victoria's Secret relocation at Tysons Corner a couple of years ago that featured store windows that got more than one parent I know upset with respect to walking their children through the mall.

[CAVA1990]

Well I was upset about the one in Old Town Alexandria, but only because when I went to try to get a fishing license I discovered it had displaced the Orvis Store.

[stpickrell]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

I think RR's comment centered on the local insecurity of some people when something that is seen as progressive is built within close proximity of them. They don't want it near them. That's the spirit of NIMBYism.

No, what annoyed me was his portrayal of NIBMYism as something unique to /worse in Northern Virginia. I'm sure it exists quite a bit in Pittsburgh, as well.

[normie]

I'm going with the free advertising explanation.

The idea that an upscale lingerie store would attract a criminal element cracks me up. What, are they going to stage a panty raid or something? Do gang members hang around stores with nighties in the window? To be honest, I think criminals are more likely to hang out around an empty store--so I say hooray, the store with a tenant is better than a store without a tenant!