Strip club is part of Ogden history

In the state of Utah, in order to sell sex toys, run an escort service, have exotic dancers or be one, applicants must acquire an S.O.B. (sexually oriented business) license. To obtain one, they must get a background check and be fingerprinted. They can have no warrants or felonies on their records. When on the premises, there are no sexual or lewd acts allowed, such as a customer or anyone kissing, making out, lap dancing, etc. A Utah strip club is not what most people think. There are brass pole barriers around the stage and customers have to stay three feet away from the dancers and are not allowed to touch the girls. Money may be thrown or set on the stage and never put in a G-string. There are no lap dances; in fact, there can be no dancing by the entertainer anywhere but on stage. G-strings and pasties must be worn at all times while performing. One can see more flesh in a movie or on a beach.

That being said, I have a message for all the city council and Mayor Godfrey. What would it really accomplish to shut down strip clubs? Our establishment has been in downtown Ogden since 1958. It is the oldest cabaret in the state of Utah. We serve only beer and we are within walking distance of two major hotels. There is no outside signage advertising that it is a strip club. In fact, new customers don't realize it until they come in.

The club also has pool tables, video games, a projection TV and three large flat screens for sports fans.

We run a clean establishment that employs 16 entertainers. Most of these girls have no formal education, are single moms or students. We also employ four bartenders, four bouncers and three D.J.s. Closing us down would put 30 people out of a job.

Please let us entertain people in a clean environment in historical downtown Ogden. We are a large part of Ogden's history.

Stefanie Butte

Ogden
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