Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
KAYSVILLE -- A Utah store's large window display of lingerie-clad mannequins has some parents pressing the city for a more family-oriented presentation.
Christy Allen opened her Pretty You Boutique on Main Street directly south of the Kaysville Theatre on July 5. Kaysville Mayor Steve Hiatt told the Standard-Examiner of Ogden that some parents waiting with children to attend movies at the theater have complained about the window display.
I get it. I understand it. I have a 7-year- old son myself. I understand (residents') concerns of displaying things that may be immodest.
–Steve Hiatt
He said he has received more phone calls and emails about the boutique than any other in the Davis County city during his tenure as mayor.
"I get it. I understand it," Hiatt said. "I have a 7-year- old son myself. I understand (residents') concerns of displaying things that may be immodest."
Allen said she recently made some changes to the display and will consider other changes, but will not cover the windows. Her shop features bras and lingerie for women of all sizes.
"Once you cover the windows, you enter the realm of the adult shop, and I'm not an adult shop," Allen told the Standard-Examiner.
Janalyn Holt, co-owner of nearby Pepperbelly's Restaurant and leader of a nonprofit group calling itself Women for Decency, said she heard concerns from residents and visited the boutique. "When I walked into the store, I really didn't see anything that I would not see in JC Penney. Victoria Secret is much more suggestive," she said.
Once you cover the windows, you enter the realm of the adult shop, and I'm not an adult shop.
–Christy Allen
But Holt said she is concerned that the largest window display in Kaysville features lingerie, and she hopes Allen makes the display "more family-oriented."
"I'm very much an advocate for protecting children and saving families from indecency that invades our communities," she said.
Hiatt said there's little the city council can do about the display because the boutique is not a sexually-oriented business.
He said he visited the store with another city employee last week and found no violations of city ordinances or state laws. The mayor said the city cannot make Allen hide her merchandise from public view.
Allen plans to make a presentation about her boutique at the council's Aug. 2 meeting.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
