Neighbors Protest Smoke Shop They Say Will Sell Sex Toys

September 29, 2011 2:45 PM

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) – Some residents in Roseville say they will soon be living next door to a nightmare.

The city of Roseville says a strip mall’s new tenant describes his business as a smoke shop, but angry neighbors say that’s only half the truth. We found out what the city didn’t know. The smoke shop’s owner runs a store in Chico called “The Dungeon” that sells sex toys.

Our cameras caught a concerned father as he confronted the owner.

“Why are you bringing in a place that sells marijuana paraphernalia into a residential community next to a daycare center?” he said.

“I’m on the phone,” said the owner, who acted busy.

“I mean literally this is my backyard,” said Chris Champlin.

For years, the nature preserve behind the strip mall where the controversial store will be housed has been a favorite spot for Champlin and his family.

“And every night we always bring our family over here; there’s ducks,” he added. “About two weeks ago we noticed the sign come up that said ‘smoke shop the dungeon’.”

The Dungeon’s website advertises hand-blown marijuana glass and water pipes.

This store, which will be near a daycare, is even closer to a Kumon Learning Center.

Selling pipes isn’t against the law. But that’s not the only problem. The Dungeon is also a sex shop. Roseville law prohibits the sale of sex-related paraphernalia within 500 feet of a school.

“Had they applied for an adult business license, they would probably be banned,” said Champlin.

The city says the shop isn’t in violation because they’re not yet open for business.

“Do we know that they’re not really a smoke shop? They haven’t opened up their doors yet, so I really think that question is premature,” said city of Roseville representative Megan Macpherson.

We tried to talk to the store owner who was on the phone. We waited around for him to finish, but he didn’t hang up – refusing to answer our questions.

Maria: Sir, can we speak to you for just a few minutes?

Owner: Get out of my face.

“It is a garbage business,” said Alex Yefimov, a concerned resident.

“This is not the place for this. Go put it somewhere else,” said Champlin.

The owner says he’s working on a solution that works for everybody.

ballsoffury

How is this a garbage business? Seems like people are jealous.
Randy Gudgel

People are as bad at using the word “literally” as they are with using the word “ironic”. Ironically they are literally using the word “literally” to mean the opposite of what it literally means. (Where “literally” means a very specific thing, being anything but specific is the opposite of the meaning).

So to say that this smoke shop is “literally” in his backyard, the speaker is saying that someone built a commercial business in the yard connected to the back of his residence (unless there is no yard connected, and then he doesn’t have a backyard to begin with). Literally.
Randy Gudgel

The only way it would be a garbage business is if the owner researched the area, found a high amount of smoke shops, and decided it would be a good idea to add another. If there isn’t a large number of these businesses nearby, then there might be a market for it, and therefor it would not be a garbage business.

Sounds to me like these are people who like to sit on their moral high horse and shout at people from the mountain top about being wrong for not believing in what they themselves believe in.
Monstera Deliciosa

People are so smart. Hey let’s all get mad at the shop instead of the people who make such a business profitable…..
Michelle stanley

I agree with you randy. I mean it’s not like this guy purchased a lot next to these people’s homes had a building built and then decieded to open a smoke shop.Please give me a break. These people need to ask them selves would they rather had a smoke shop near there homes and day care or some one selling drugs there illeagllly. Also I am sure this guy checked it out before he even decieded to open his business. After all if it were a problem then the city of Roseville won’t have allowed him to open there.
Destry

A smoke shop that sells sex toys? Puts a whole new spin on “put that in your pipe and smoke it”…
Chris

Listen idiots…its not about the shop, its about the location. You must be a real numbnuts to think if you have a small neighborhood stripmall, surrounded by residential areas and schools, where kids ride their bikes, skateboard, etc. that this is ok. Its about keeping kids safe, and trying to presere their innocense, No one says these shop cant/shouldnt exist, heck if it floats your boat great, Just not in a family friendly area.
Tapestry

There are alllready 10 smoke shops in Roseville area
I thought smoking was so PC incorrect?
Chris

A drug dealer moves in next door to you…are you ok with it? The drug dealer isnt dangerous. What are you afraid of????….right, the people it attracts. Tell me you understand that much.
ty

Are you the father in the story @Chris? JW…. but anyways just because they sell sex toys at one location doesnt mean they will at another… IDK, but they have a smoke shop at every corner in EG, right next to residential neighborhoods, doesnt bother many people… sounds like something to take up with the city council… not the business owner… as long as he is not selling his legal product to minors i dont think that any complaints will win… but it will get more people interested in the store… if that was the news plan.. idk
trj

If he is in compliance then shut up and quit crying. It’s his right to do this so leave him alone. If you don’t like it change the laws but until then shut up.
Chris

No, not the same. But i do live in roseville and know this shopping center, and frequent the pond to feed the ducks with my kids. Many young families with kids in this area.
Chris

and fyi…not the same Chris mentioned in the article.
lushrimbaugh

Quit your effin crying !!!!
?

You literally just wasted my time with this dribble.
Moresmokeshopsinrosevilleplease

Chris, your “rants” lost any and all credibility as soon as you resorted to name calling like a child, Congrats. My kids go to Karate in a strip mall that not only has a smoke shop *GASP* but also a bar/lounge. Do you know how many times my kids have asked me about the smoke shop and bar?? ZERO. Do you know how many drug dealers and undesirables hang out in the strip mall because of those stores, you guessed it, ZERO!
Guy

Let the market decide if he stays or goes. If there’s a demand for his product in the area then his business will flourish. If people in the area are not into whatever he’s selling then his sales will reflect that and he’ll close up shop because he’s losing money.
?

I think you are the idiot, Chris. The sexless Roseville prudes want to keep their sanitized neighborhoods free from reality. Why are you not proud that a small business owner is trying to create jobs and taxes for your Roseville Republican economy?? Oh, that’s right. You pick and choose your hipocricies.
The Blogger

Guy makes a valid point. Let the Market decide.

In case you don’t know “Smoke shop” is simply another word for bongs, pot pipes & rolling papers!

So consider it a one stop shopping place, you can get a back of smokes, a bong, a G String & a vibrator!

http://www.sacramento-blog-uncut.blogspot.com
Mike Hawk

you f—ing idiot, its a legitimate smoke shop. no different than the other smoke shops in roseville, like millennium or still smokin’.
Jon smith

this is why i hate most of placer county
Graham

As soon as this place opens I’m going to buy something from there that i dont even need just to show support.
Jazzmin woods

Wow!!!
Ariel

Why does it matter the location? It is not like he is going to be marketing or selling these things to the minors, and most smoke shops have dark tinted windows so you cannot see inside. Also, if you look too young, you get asked to show your ID as soon as you walk into the store. The owner is not going to put his business at risk by letting a minor into the store, I can tell you that already because he needs to make a living. Roseville needs to stop getting to uptight because a new small business is trying to open its doors and bring customers and revenue into the city. Like it was mentioned before, the market will see to it if the business will stay open or not.
Matt

show these uptight prudes! buy something from the store as soon it opens
Henri

I do not understand the problem. You have to be 18 to by tobacco products, so your little kids will not be going into the store. end of story.
Mary

In my experience, smoke shops usually black out the front windows and IF they sell sex toys it’s in a separate room in the back. You could walk past 20 times a day and not know what they sell in the back unless you went in looking for it. Maybe the locals need a toy to two so they can loosen up!
jim

get over your holier than tho ca- ca roseville, you live in the u.s. a. not some backward, twisted, prejudice back water town. . or do you? wake up, put your bible on the shelf and smell the chit on your knees..
Bruce Jones

get over your holier than tho ca- ca roseville, you live in the u.s. a. not some backward, twisted, prejudice back water town. . or do you? wake up, put your bible on the shelf and smell the chit on your knees..
Roger Ewing

Holy Cow a smoke shop with sex toys…Next thing you know there will be an army of stoned out nuts wearing bizarre sex toys marching off to invade some middle eastern country thats reported to have weapons of mass sextruction…what will we do to prevent this travesty of pleasure and fun…
Police your own children

sex-related paraphernalia is not against the law any more than masturbation is.
Get over it. Keep your kids away if you don’t want them to be in in.
PARENT YOUR CHILDREN! and leave business owners alone.