Founder and publisher of the Hustler brand Larry Flynt is returning to his Ohio roots.
Hustler Hollywood is expected to open this summer in the building formerly occupied by Tan Pro at 2761 N. High Street, between the Giant Eagle and now out-of-business White Castle.
Hustler Hollywood is described as the official Hustler store, according to its website. Visitors must be 18 years old and up to enter the website.
Clintonville businesses were aware of the store’s arrival, with much speculation about the store and its impact on the area.
“I heard it was going to be a coffee shop as well,” said Rhonda Wilmoth, assistant manager of Tim Horton’s in Clintonville.
Reports are varied, but businesses differ on their opinions about the store opening.
“We obviously aren’t very happy about it,” Wilmoth said. “We’re worried about attracting not-so-great people to the area, customers we don’t want.”
Worried or not about the establishment and its clientele, Mozart’s Café does not expect the store to have staying power.
“I wish (Flynt) the best, but I don’t think it’s going to last in our area. Clintonville is too family-oriented for a place like that,” said Jessica Allen, manager of Mozart’s Café.
Flynt started his first business in 1965 by opening a bar in Dayton and a go-go bar there in 1968. The most recent Hustler store to open prior to the Columbus location was in Cincinnati in March. The former Bexley resident also visited Clintonville on May 10, according to WBNS-TV.
Attempts to reach Hustler for comment were unsuccessful.
