It could also suggest the people who had an interest in them moved to the 'Burbs or elsewhere, or possibly even lost interest.

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So then there is no issue about the club, right? You're predicting they will be closed in the very near future. Correct?

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Vern Anastasio and BVUCA have been distributing this release throughout Bella Vista. I think the "nefarious" comment had to do with DiCicco & Verdi who apparently lied to the community five years ago.

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Quote:

PRESS RELEASE The closing of Club Karma Sutra at 7th and South Streets in the South Philly neighborhood of Bella Vista has raised more questions about zoning, license issuance and the culture in Philadelphia City Council. "Since it was shut down by Licenses and Inspections this past Saturday, the owner of Club Kama Sutra, Alan Tizer has told everyone the club has been operating for five years with the full knowledge and approval of all governmental authorities. Well, if this is true then City Councilman Frank DiCicco and the Department of Licenses and Inspections owe the people of Bella Vista an explanation", said Vern Anastasio, a real estate, zoning and estate planning attorney who serves as a board member of the Bella Vista United Civic Association. This call for an explanation came on the heels of news that the private club was operating under little more than a restaurant license for nearly five years. Anastasio continued, "What consenting adults do in a private club is no one's concern if laws aren't broken and there was no negative impact on the surrounding neighbors. This club was a good neighbor. But five years ago, when we asked our local leaders for clarity on this club, we were told everything was in order and that they were operating under all municipal codes with all necessary licenses. No one in the community knew they were operating under a restaurant license. And I doubt anyone in City Hall really believed this place was a restaurant. We all knew this was a sex club -- and so what? The real crime is when City Hall plays hide the ball with those who monitor zoning. If we can't trust city hall in zoning matters, how can we really fight reckless development. We refuse to pass judgement on those who own or take part in the club. But we will pass judgement on public servants who mislead us. This is a slap in the face to those people who monitor zoning issues in our community and it's time for those who are in power to tell us why they looked the other way!" Currently, the Bella Vista United Civic Association is planning on forming a watch-dog group to ensure better business compliance with the local zoning code. Additionally, Anastasio is asking 1st District Councilman Frank DiCicco and L&I Deputy Commissioner Dominic Verdi to attend the next local zoning meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 6th at Palumbo Rec Center (10th and Fitzwater Streets) and explain themsleves. "The culprits here are not those who own the club. The culprits are those who knew this wasn't a restaurant and never made an attempt to fix the situation. It amazes me how much trouble City Hall puts someone through to build a roof deck or open a legitimate business but somehow this outfit kept running without a proper license for five years! These zoning procedures need to be reformed. They should be standardized, transparent and open to public scrutiny!" Anastasio concluded. Reform advocate Vern Anastasio is an attorney and founding board member of the Bella Vista United Civic Association.

I know, i know. It doesn't mean i have to like it.

I'm sorry my post wasn't clearer. I love used bookstores. I spend too much of my income at the new Book Trader and Big Jar. I wish we had more good stores in CC. It burns my biscuits that the best one in town (Bookhaven) is in Fairmount, not CC.

But you didn't answer my initial question. What stoes are you talking about that have "survived for over 15 years"?

South Street has always been on the edge. Nothing wrong with that.

Club Kama Sutra is already closed.
I will not state an opinion about one business or another. If a business is still open, it must have a sustainable clientele. Although I may not like one business or another, 100 other might.
The technical aspect I had shown was that there are no more licenses allowed for the following types of businesses:

a) Athletic and drill hall, dance hall, and other entertainment of guests and patrons as a main use;
(b) Automobile repair shops; automobile service station for the retail sale of automobile fuels, lubricants and accessories; retail sale and installation of automobile parts, tires or audio equipment; automobile and truck sale lots; automobile and truck rental lots;
(c) Car wash;
(d) Fortune teller establishment;[403]
(e) Installation of auto, boat, motorcycle or truck parts;
(f) Laboratories (analytical, chemical and research) and assay offices;
(g) Non-accessory or outdoor advertising signs;
(h) Outdoor sales or storage, including outdoor use of coin operated machines which dispense food or drink;
(i) Private clubs with a license from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for the “after hours” sale of alcoholic beverages;
(j) Restaurants, take-out restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and other similar establishments for the sale and consumption of food and/or beverages, with drive-in or take-out service (sale of food and/or beverages to be consumed outside the confines of the premises);
(k) Retail sales of products or food through a window or aperture which opens directly onto the sidewalk, a public arcade, or public entranceway into a building;
(l) Tattoo and body piercing establishments;
(m) Trolley and bus terminals and car and bus barns;
(n) Accessory curb cuts for vehicular ingress and egress along South Street; and
(o) Any accessory speaker or audio device that causes music or voices to reach the sidewalk area, public arcade, or public entranceway to a building, which is adjunct to any permitted retail use, used to advertise merchandise sold, and/or used to call public attention to the use of the premises.

In addition, any business within the city must apply for proper variances and licenses which pertain to their specific business(i.e.-a dentist can not get a Use and Occupancy by saying he/she is a clothing store).
As previously stated, Kama Sutra did not procure the proper permits. Now they have to go before local neighborhood groups and apply for the appropriate permits, and then go in front of the zoning board of appeals to request a variance...
All I am saying is that I cannot imagine that the local neighborhood groups would approve the variance.

Your initial question to me on this post was "Difficulty atttacting a new bookstore?" Although this question may of been rhetorical, I answered that we now have a new bookstore on 2nd and South.

Your second question was "Do you have any proof to back up your allegations?" I provided you with my sources of information, and how to receive the same information I have.

Your third question to me in this post was "At the risk of nitpicking, what "other" used book stores are there since Book Trader left?" You answered that for yourself by analyzing the existing bookstores. I did tend to clump all existing bookstores in my retort, to which I stand corrected.

At no time did you ask me which business survived 15 years, until now. Mostly Books has survived that long, as well as Bainbridge Books. Wooden Shoe sells used books, even if you do not patronize them. Al Warrack also has some used books, although most of his inventory is new and periodicals.

Thanks for backing up your posts with sources. I'll keep my fingers crossed that good things happen on those 2 blocks.

We'll have to agree to disagree about the used bookstores. I wish Bainbridge Books had regular hours. I've never seen it open but would love to go there.