Adult-Oriented Businesses in Downtown Minneapolis

[FISHMANPET]

While the end result is somewhat the same, I think there's a pretty big difference between "closed because owner got a huge payout" and "closed because owner literally couldn't pay expenses with business as it currently stands."

But I have no inside knowledge of the finances of Sex World. Also there are children here so I won't delve into my extended thoughts on the business of sexy toys and pornography.

[PhilmerPhil]

[WARNING 18+] UrbanMSP: Raw and Uncensored

Which Vacant Hole will the Next Veiny Supertall Fill?

[grant1simons2]

I'd like it if they repainted it: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.983565, ... !2e0?hl=en

I actually always thought sex world was really really cool and would hate to see them go. It's a very unique store.

Unfortunately also on this cross road is the building Ackerberg owns (I think) and hasn't done anything with: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.983857, ... !2e0?hl=en

And a good ole concrete box auto service store: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.983705, ... !2e0?hl=en

[FISHMANPET]

[WARNING 18+] UrbanMSP: Raw and Uncensored

Which Vacant Hole will the Next Veiny Supertall Fill?

Bonus: the French refer to their method of designing tram lines as "The Art of Insertion."

[Tyler]

Ok. Fine guys. Sex world can stay (the building should stay regardless). Is it ok if I still want Deja Vu to get redeveloped? We have the makings of a pretty decent retail corridor here and I don't think it's helping.

[FISHMANPET]

I think there are ways to have a classy strip club, but, at least from the outside, I don't think Deja Vu is doing that.

[grant1simons2]

For example, Minneapolis Cabaret, very classy looks from the outside. Or the Executive lounge near Target Field.

[xandrex]

I think a problem with strip clubs is their very closed nature. It's not like you can show off the goods in the window. So they places often end up as blank walls with tacky red carpet outside, horrible signs, and flyers for the gotta-be-ironic "all you can eat hotdog bar."

[FISHMANPET]

Hey you, get out, you're not old enough for this discussion!

I went to a place in Chicago that was in a 20's vaudeville theater. That place oozed class (as much as a place where women take their clothes off for money can).

[PhilmerPhil]

The Seville does a pretty good job of looking classy from the outside, but they don't tip out pedicab drivers that bring customers, so screw them.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.978892, ... M2fcdw!2e0

[acs]

Even if they looked as good as the downtown cabaret, I still would prefer all the strip clubs moved off Washington ave and into the already established Hennepin/394/Washington nightlife district of the north loop.

[seanrichardryan]

No love for Schiek's? The space is gorgeous inside too, with elaborate marble walls and a stained glass ceilings. Worth the seediness of going into a 'house of ill-repute' to check out the architecture.

[seanrichardryan]

SEXWORLD:

SCHIEKS

[PhilmerPhil]

It's no longer Sheik's--renamed to the Downtown Cabaret, which I assumed Grant mentioned early on when he referred to it as the Minneapolis Cabaret.

[seanrichardryan]

Oooh... I had no idea. Don't get out to the strip clubs too often.

[David Greene]

wouldn't say that that tack stores going out of business because of the automobile was gentrification

My great-grandfather owned a tack shop, you insensitive clod!

Really, true story. Up in Elk River. I think the building is still there.

[Nathan]

No offense to those of you making the old dude claim... about sexworld, but that's never who is in there when I go in. Kinda shows that you never actually step inside. It's usually young to middle aged people. Couples and that sort of thing. The place is rather busy after bar close. I agree i love smitten kitten, but sex world is iconic in a way and people go to it for toys and condoms and lube and it's a head shop too. Not everybody wants to go to a cutesy lesbian run super clean sex shop. That's not everyone's vibe (vibe... lol)

[FISHMANPET]

Man I can't imagine Sex World after bar close. At this point Sex World feels like a novelty shop more than a place to buy actual sex toys. A joke dick is a joke dick but I wouldn't really want to use any of those things on my partner. Last time I was there with an out of town friend she couldn't find anything that interested her at Sex World but we went to Smitten Kitten and there was tons of stuff she was interested in.

But if enough people are buying novelty dicks and lube and whatever, then more power to 'em. I certainly don't want Sex World to go away.

[Nathan]

And those of you living in North and north east maybe can verify it's one of the closest for those neighborhoods?

[spearson]

I'm late to this thread, but as a married mid 30's male with no kids, I would be sad to see strip clubs and sex world close. In fact it's sad to see so many people push to have them closed because of "family" this or "moral compass" that. Downtown needs seedy areas, that's what makes downtowns great! And as a person that's been to sex world in the last month at like 8pm on a saturday, it was plenty busy with customers of all ages (legal ages).

My only complaint about this stretch of street is that it's blank lifeless wall from 3rd to washington on both sides. It'd be nice to see SexWorld open of those old windows and XXX up the sidewalk.

Also, I'm sure it's not a trend, but they are actually paying less property taxes this year compared to last so I wouldn't count on them being pushed out too soon.