Cambria Co., PA (WJAC) — A local strip club raised concerns from town and church officials in the area when it opened a few months ago.
The owner of the club says attorneys tell him it is legal even though an ordinance from the borough tried to stop its opening.
6 News spoke to the owner about how the last few months have gone and if worries have been put to rest in the town.
Gary Vaughn, the owner of Bodies in Motion in Portage, says between 50 and 75 people come to the club on Thursday nights and says that there has been no trouble.
But a local church official is calling the business a “stain” on the town.
“In general, I’ve been in this business almost five years and we've had very few problems elsewhere, so I didn't expect there to be any additional problems or any extra problems here just because it was here,” Vaughn said.
When Vaughn first opened his club in Portage, many people in the town expressed concern.
There were town meetings with officials trying to get rid of the business and local churches were especially outraged.
Church officials say there are multiple churches within a few blocks of Bodies in Motion, but Vaughn says the noise has died down.
“The way my business turned out here, at least so far, was not what the town, the church people, or the borough expected, which is why I think I haven't really heard much from anyone for that matter.”
Pastor Art Black of Portage's Bethany United Methodist Church says he is still not happy about the club's opening.
Pastor Black says it's a bad influence on the town and it “boggles his mind that the club is still there, especially since it's on Main Street and children could be around.”
Vaughn says he's taken precautions against that.
“I'm not required to, but I’ve been very transparent with the borough from the beginning and told them that I did not want to create a big scene.”
He says there is still no large sign outside the building, along with clouded windows and even a wall inside the door making sure nobody can see in.
“I'm just glad that a lot of the chaos or a lot of the hoopla over the business, I’m glad that's just kind of went by the wayside.”
Vaughn says he realized some community members will never like the club being in town, but says he plans on continuing his business the way it is.
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