Boutique's 'color' isn't changing

Warning: the following may contain words and information not suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.

But it is not a sexually oriented column.

That's what the Salt Lake City attorney and the owner of a business called the "Blue Boutique" would have us all believe.

The Blue Boutique has been in the news a lot lately because (A) the store was forced out of its longtime location in Sugar House by new development and (B) it decided to move to a nearby location across from a park, down the road from a school and next to a residential neighborhood.

Predictably, there was an uproar from the people who live next door.

More than 1,000 of them signed a petition to keep the Blue Boutique out. They formed protest groups. They stormed a City Council meeting.

That's when they were told, sorry, the Blue Boutique cannot be regulated away from schools, parks and homes.

Because according to city statutes, the Blue Boutique is not an SOB (Sexually Oriented Business).

Makes you wonder who wrote the requirements, doesn't it? Larry Flynn? Howard Stern?

If this business isn't sexually oriented, what is?

For starters, there's its sexually oriented first name, "Blue." In the dictionary, after the primary definition "of a color intermediate between green and violet," it adds: "also, with sexual or pornographic content; risque; indecent; a blue joke."

Then there's the Blue Boutique's description of itself on its Web site:

"Shopping made Sexy ... offering the finest in a variety of Sexy lingerie, Sexy shoes and Sexy adult merchandise to discriminating shoppers ... where shopping is sexy with an attitude."

Key word, anyone?

And here's an independent review on Citysearch:

"Oh, sure, you think you're worldly and sophisticated. You've had some 'experience.' You know the anatomically correct names for 'things.' Visit the adults-only room and this illusion could be shattered. You're likely to encounter items you never knew existed and devices whose functions aren't immediately apparent ... Adventurous adults can find lingerie, leather clothing, harnesses (for people — not horses), vinyl dresses, shoes, feather boas, gifts, body piercing and massage oils. And in case you were just, you know, curious, $60 is the average price of lacy French-maid outfits."

What is obvious is that for 20 years the Blue Boutique has fit in and functioned in the heart of Sugar House's eclectic business district because of one word: sex.

But now that it's moving to the 'burbs, it is no longer sexually oriented.

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.