Woodstock's Redlight Boutique battling sex store stereotype

WOODSTOCK – A business a block off the Woodstock Square selling lingerie, incenses, lubricants and adult toys opened during the weekend, despite a local controversy shrouded in misunderstandings, the owner said.

For nearly the last month, owner Scott Bialas has been working with city officials to address concerns raised by some residents who thought the exterior of Bialas' business, Redlight Boutique, was inappropriate, both Bialas and city officials said.

Residents reiterated those concerns during a recent City Council meeting that was just more than one block from the store's location.

The primary complaint regarded the boutique's windows that exposed the business' inventory, mostly including lingerie and other adult clothing along with scented candles, oils and adult toys.

But Bialas said residents who think they are walking into a traditional adult store don't yet have a full understanding of his business.

"We are not a classic type of porn store that people think. We are very classy and upscale-looking. We are very friendly and knowledgeable," Bialas said. "It's upscale."

Working with city officials, Bialas added window films along the east side of the building that obscures the view inside the store, at 116 E. Calhoun St. The white window films feature a lady's face complete with red lipstick that mimics images commonly found on the exterior of hair salons, Bialas said.

The exterior of the building also never references the business' full name, Redlight Boutique, because some city officials objected to the word "redlight" and its connotations to prostitution, he said.

Curtains backdrop the store's front-window display also meant to obscure an outsider's view of the store's products, Bialas said. The display does feature some of the business' lingerie products.

Some residents also have questioned why the City Council didn't impose more strict regulations on Bialas' business, about a block south from the heart of downtown Woodstock.

More than 25 percent of a business' inventory must be tied to the sale of adult items for a business to qualify for the city's special adult use permit, said City Manager Roscoe Stelford.

Under the permit, a business would be subject to stronger city control and couldn't locate within 1,000 feet of schools, residences and parks.

After researching and talking with Bialas, city officials concluded that the Redlight Boutique's inventory is primarily lingerie and adult clothes, meaning the business doesn't qualify for the permit.

Although officials didn't recruit it to Woodstock, the business has complied with all local and state regulations, he said. Stelford also noted Bialas' cooperation with addressing the city's concerns.

"These businesses are protected under the First Amendment for freedom of speech," Stelford said. "We have limits on what level they can sell before it triggers adult use. He's below that threshold."

Since opening the boutique, Bialas has already heard from customers who said they were surprised that the store has caused such a controversy, Bialas said.

"Anybody who has questions, comments, concerns, they should feel free to come in and talk to me," Bialas said.