This story has been updated.
GREATER DECATUR, Ga. — Tokyo Valentino, an adult entertainment business, was in the process of building out a new location at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway in Greater Decatur. It would have been near Sky Lounge.
But after further review, DeKalb County has revoked the building permit, and the business license application remains incomplete.
According to the business’s website, Tokyo Valentino Erotique was established in 1995 and has the largest selection of adult-related products in the Southeast.
Juliana Njoku, the county’s planning and sustainability director, said the applications did not properly disclose the property’s intended use, and other filings mentioned the sale of adult materials.
In an email to the county, Owner Michael Morrison said Tokyo Valentino entered into a lease with Air Hospitality Group for the space at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 200. Air Hospitality hired MSM Builders to remediate the space before Tokyo Valentino moves in. Morrison says the building permit is for MSM Builders.
Morrison submitted a business license application on Sept. 16.
“On P.1 Tokyo clearly identified the name of our business ‘Tokyo Valentino’ and that it would be selling marital aids less than the 20% allowed under Section 15-401.A,” Morrison said in the email.
On the business license application, Morrison described it as a “general retail store selling a preponderance of clothing, lingerie, shoes, pipes and other tobacco accessories, lotions and other goods, as well as less than 20% of adult material…”
In the letter to the county, Morrison added that Tokyo Valentino is not an adult business, since the adult wares available would comply with the allowed threshold.
“We mostly serve the LGBTQ+ community,” Morrison said. “This location has no live entertainment, nor video booths, etc. Tokyo is no different than the ‘Spencer’s’ stores found in malls all over America.”
Residents in the area reached out to Decaturish and posted on social media expressing concerns about Tokyo Valentino, particularly because it would be located so close to a neighborhood.
“We don’t want Lawrenceville Highway to become the next Cheshire Bridge Road, especially not adjacent to our neighborhood,” a reader said. “The owners along this entire strip are problematic, but this is by far the most egregious violation to date.”
Tokyo Valentino is trying to open a new location at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway in Greater Decatur.
OBTAINED VIA GOOGLE MAPS
Here is the full statement from DeKalb County:
Public Notice from the DeKalb County Department of Planning & Sustainability
Subject: Clarification Regarding Permit and Business License Applications for 1850 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 200
The DeKalb County Department of Planning & Sustainability would like to address recent inquiries and public concern regarding activity at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 200, Decatur, Georgia 30033.
Following a thorough administrative review, the County has determined that the building permit and related business license applications associated with this property contain incomplete and inconsistent information regarding the intended business use. As a result, the building permit has been revoked, and the business license application remains incomplete pending further documentation from the applicant.
Specifically, the applications did not fully disclose the intended use of the premises at the time of submission, and subsequent filings identified the sale of adult-oriented materials. This change in use requires a different level of zoning review and compliance with County ordinances that regulate adult-oriented establishments.
The County has directed the applicant to cease all construction activity and provide detailed information necessary for zoning and licensing review. No certificate of occupancy or business license has been issued, and no authorization currently exists for any business operations at this location.
DeKalb County remains committed to upholding transparency, enforcing local ordinances, and ensuring that all businesses operate in compliance with applicable land use and public safety regulations. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of our permitting process and to ensure that development within the County aligns with community standards and the County’s zoning requirements.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact the Department of Planning & Sustainability at (404) 371-2155 or via email at plansustain@dekalbcountyga.gov for additional information.
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