the indy star reports:

The woman at the center of the battle over adult businesses here says her newly opened store is simply a lingerie shop.

Michelle Kuntz, 36, Greenwood, said her store, XO Paradise, in Old Towne Greenwood will comply with a new city ordinance regulating the sale of sex toys, maintaining the controversy about her business was overblown from the start.

"This is not an adult entertainment business," she said. "It has been misrepresented. No one was interested in clearing up any misunderstanding. It's just wrong how this was handled."

in case you were wondering whether greenwood passed that ordinance outlawing the sale of sex toys within such-and-such distance from churches and schools, they did. but michelle kuntz is opening her store anyway. (insert obligatory joke about michelle's name here.) apparently, nobody thought to ask her whether she actually, y'know, planned to sell sex toys at the shop.

Kuntz criticized the city and others for not discussing with her what she intended to sell.

"Not one person came to me," Kuntz said.

and no story about this topic would be complete without a patronizing quote from greenwood mayor charles henderson:

While some council members at their meeting wished Kuntz good luck with her new store, Henderson did not.

"It is not the kind of business we want, and I hope you are offended enough not to open," Henderson told Kuntz. "I don't think the intention is to sell lingerie."

i don't know if michelle k is offended, but i sure am. then again, this is the same henderson who said earlier this month that "if we step on their rights, I don't think I'll even apologize for that."

in other words, don't go to greenwood if you want to exercise your rights. they don't care about that kind of stuff in greenwood.¶

What does the Mayor of Greenwood have against women wearing underwear? Is he really for respectable women going bare-ass nekkid under the dress? What kind of prevert is he? Does he wear shiny patent leather shoes? ¶

I think I've told every person I've seen today about this story. Thanks for pointing it out. What an asshole, that Henderson. Geez. Maybe if he's that offended he should not charge her any taxes since her money is so tainted...

I read elsewhere that the surrounding businesses include a Village pantry, a liquor store, and a tattoo parlor. So the mayor gets all worked up after a couple of churches start rumors - but neglects the alcohol, smoking, gambling and body modification sins next door. What a hypocrite and pharisee. ¶

Mayor Bart Peterson and the Chatham Arch neighborhood did almost the exact same thing to me in 2005. I owned a retail shop that was not legally defined adult, yet they spun it in the news as if it was. And just like in Michelle's situation, no one ever came to talk to me.

Kudos to Michelle for hanging tough against Greenwood's Mayor. I'm sure the publicity is going to bring her a boon of business.

I wish her the best.

And to the Mayor of Greenwood, what does he have against the wives and girlfriends of Greenwood wearing pretty lingerie?

The Mayor doth protest too much and seems a overly phobic. Could the good Mayor of Greenwood really be a panty wearing cross dresser in private? {winks} ¶

Yeah, I couldn't believe this story when I heard it. I don't think that Mayor is going to last another term. ¶

THIS MAN IS STILL MAYOR IN 2009! PEOPLE OF GREENWOOD, INDIANA...WAKE UP AND VOTE HIM OUT...OH AND YES...HIS WISHES FOR FAILURE TO XO PARIDISE...STORE IS STILL OPEN AND DOING FINE...THREE YEARS AFTER THE MAYOR TRIED TO KEEP HER STORE FROM OPENING! ¶

I actually took the time to go to her store instead of believe what the news said. I have been back several times since. I recently bought my grandchildren some Colts jewelry and even bought myself a pretty pair of panties. Yes, even though I am a grandparent I like to feel good & sexy for my husband of 49 years. As a tax paying citizen I should have the right to go in any store or Boutique I want to without the Mayor or any other
hypocrite telling me what I can and can not do. Good for you Michelle and congratulations on
still being in business after all of the crap "the hypocrite's" put you through! ¶