Georgia Adult Store Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Court

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Love Shack adult store in Johns Creek celebrates its one-year anniversary today on the same day that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments by attorneys H. Louis Sirkin and Cary Wiggins in Love Shack owner John Cornetta's suit against the city.

The court also will hear from Fulton County attorney Steve Rosenberg.

Before the store opened, Cornetta filed suit against the county in federal court because his request for a business license was denied, even though he had planned to have only 25 percent adult product in the store.

"I helped the county write that ordinance, because I had beaten it a year before when it was at 50 percent," Cornetta told XBIZ. "The county attorney and I are old nemeses — and friends.

"I personally found a loophole in Fulton County's ordinances that said you didn't need a business license until 30 days after you open for business. We already had an occupancy permit, so I waited until the 29th. On Dec. 1, the city of Johns Creek became a city, so I opened on the 29th knowing that I didn't need a license for 30 days."

The day after Love Shack opened, Fulton County filed for an emergency restraining order in Superior Court to shut the store down. Judge Jerry Baxter ruled that the county's claim was not an emergency and that the matter should be decided by Judge Thomas Thrash, the federal judge handling the dispute that had been filed before the store opened about the business license.

"They were in a catch-22. By then it had become Johns Creek and it's too late, I'm opened," Cornetta said.

When the business license case was completed, Thrash ruled that the Love Shack was operating as an adult bookstore, finding Cornetta in contempt of court and fining him almost $20,000 before suspending the sentence. The court also ordered Cornetta to reduce his adult inventory by a “significant” amount. When asked for a definition of “significant” by attorney H. Louis Sirkin, Thrash commented that “my order is what my order is.”

"Judge Thrash tried to close us down several times," Cornetta told XBIZ. "Overnight I would change the inventory. I brought in 30,000 items one night that were non-adult."

Cornetta appealed the lower ruling, and earlier this year the 11th Circuit decided to hear the case, setting the date for the 29th.

"All the marbles ride tomorrow, on the day that we opened," Cornetta said Wednesday.

In celebration of the one-year anniversary, Cornetta will give a 35 percent discount on all purchases at the Johns Creek Love Shack.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Fantasy Gifts NJ Unveils 'Shave Stix' With Product Launch Event

Sexual wellness retailer Fantasy Gifts NJ introduced its new Shave Stix during a special event at its Lumberton location on April 17.

Motorbunny Now Available on 'Throne' Gift Platform

Motorbunny pleasure products are now available on Throne gift platform.

AV Bulletin: Age Verification Hits the Mainstream, Ofcom Sets a Date

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the country. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, AV tech providers continue to tout their services, and legal challenges continue to play out in the courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Honey's Place Now Distributing Camtoyz

Honey's Place is now distributing Camtoyz pleasure products.

ToyChats Announces Reviewer Incentives

Recently launched pleasure product review site ToyChats has announced a giveaway program for reviewers.

Paradise Marketing Acquires CondomMan

Paradise Marketing has acquired CondomMan distribution.

RIDMII Debuts New Sex Doll Collection

Pleasure brand RIDMII has introduced a new line of sex dolls.

VVD Debuts Combo Set With 'Vkini,' 'Rider Desire'

Pleasure brand VVD has debuted a new bundle with its Vkini vibrating bikini top and Rider Desire saddle.

B-Vibe Expands 'Butties' Collection, Debuts Harness Sets

B-Vibe has expanded its Butties collection with six new anal plugs and introduced two new harness sets.

Dame Acquires Chakrubs

Sexual wellness brand Dame has acquired luxury pleasure products company Chakrubs.

Show More