Many of you may remember the adult entertainment club (probably being a little too polite in my description) Show-N-Tail that was located on Thomas Drive. A few years back it burned to the ground after years of contempt from local residential neighbors, tourists and officials alike.
After years of not being in business, the owner, Allen Johnson wants to reopen, and he has been fighting with the Bay County Commission on where he can open his doors. Current restrictions include not being allowed to locate a sexually oriented business within 1500 feet of residences.
One previous proposed location was next to a popular children’s Ballet Studio in a business park near Panama City Beach Parkway and Thomas Drive, which received tons of flare in opposition. Johnson has had a tough time relocating his business as the Bay County Planning Board has refused to accept it as part of their comprehensive plan, and the County Commissioners have remained sensitive with where something like this should be located, given circumstances that include residences, tourism, and community aesthetics.
Right now, they are appealing directly to the Bay County Commission to overrule the Planning Board’s decision which prevents them to relocate at the corner of North Lagoon Drive and Joan Avenue. The hearing is set for tomorrow, July 20 at 9 am at the new Government Building on 11th Street. If they are successful in their persuasion, we could have a strip club at this popular intersection.
If you know me, then you know my opinion on the matter. From one business owner to another, I understand Johnson’s desire to get his bread and butter back up and running. But, from a local concerned about our image and father, I think we need to think long and hard before we let an establishment like this open back up on Panama City Beach, much less at a very high-traffic intersection.
What’s your opinion? Should they open there? Or should they be restricted to a specific place that is out of the way and out of sight to our much needed tourists?
PCBDaily 
As a business owner in Panama City Beach, I say out of site and out of the way of high traffic. Panama City Beach is in the process of revamping and renewing the city and this type of entertainment needs not to be located as a main attaction in the city where family’s are touring the city together.
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I say way out of site, way out of way of traffic as well. I am an annual visitor to the area, and bringing my children out at night is a little sketchy as it is. Considering the amount of profanity and crude behaviour that already exists with the people who cruise the strip at night, the thought of this ‘establishment’ being on the corner close to where we stay, is a bit scary. The opening of this establishment would probably make me reconsider visiting PCB again, because the area is already borderline family friendly.
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My family lives behind their old location (on beach drive), and I can attest to the negative byproducts of having this type of business in a residential area. We had numerous criminal incidents occur, and frankly didnt even feel safe to walk to our vehicle alone at night. I applaud the county commission and county planning board for doing what is right—-and I hope the commissioners stick to their guns.
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Wayyyyyy out in the boondocks somewhere.
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yeah like how vegas once was…
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We own a small vacation rental business here in PCB. We also live off of N Lagoon. We were so relieved when they got rid of the Beach Bunny’s at the end of Lauri and Front Beach Road. The county needs to STOP it from going in at Joan and N Lagoon. PCB is just now getting the word out that we are Family Friendly, this establismen is NOT. Relocate way out in the boondocks Your clinents will find you!!!
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Please don’t bring it back. We don’t need any strip clubs or “adult” entertainment businesses in our city. Let’s keep it family friendly; I am still hoping to see the spring breakers go away…
Do the right thing and keep it out of sight and far away from where families are. Robin Mixon is right, the people who patronize that kind of business will find it no matter where it is.
Mr. Johnson need not worry he won’t have customers and I would think his tax rate would be lower further out.
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We have lived here for over 20 years and raised our two sons here, we want to see businesses that will “build up” our community not tear it down….I don’t see this business as a building business. My thoughts and prayers are for Mr. Johnson to go into the “building up” business; strengthening the family….not tearing it down =)
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It was there before all the condos and the wal mart
I find incrediable how people want to be so selective.
Like there is no noise or rowdy people at club la vella or even scooners.
I love it when people want to say pcbeach is family friendly. If you were a 14 year or staying with your parents at a condo besides the ocean and pool and most people have pools at their own house, what exciting thing is there to do? Exactly nothing, because they tore everything down to build condos everywehre.
No go cart tracks, miracle strip is gone, yes they did build pier park , but what major town in any state doesnt have a strip mall and a dillars.
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I agree. There will always be these types of businesses around. I don’t see anything wrong with it. This location is probably the best place it could be. Land, water, energy, sex, commodities, booze. Nothing has changed
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We come to PCB every year. I also attended spring break 2 times, where I met my husband. I see no problem with with this type of business. In the summer there wiil probably not be alot of problems. Only the same problems you see at Club La Vella, Hooters , Coyote Ugly, just alot of drinking. They will probably make more money than most business in town. If you want to make this a family friendly beach, then they need to come up with more things for kids between the ages of 10 and 18 to do. There is not alot of options. As our kids get older we are looking at Myrtle Beach where there are alot more options for kids.
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Yet another example of America not being the land of the free anymore. All this fuss about this ‘adult’ business but you never hear anything about the 20 Purple Haze locations down the strip selling porn, sex toys and loads of merchandise with marijuana leaves all over it.
And complaints about spring breakers? You’ve got to be kidding me. Many of us only have from March to August to make a living now. You get rid of the spring breakers and then we’ll have from June to August.
PCB has been a tourist town for decades, if you don’t like it, leave.
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Caleb, I’m with ya! Good comment.
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No, they do not need to be here If they are successful cant their be restrictions about aesthetics and signage??
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I am totally against the city allowing them to rebuild this establishment and hope the other s like it will be shut down soon. Those places are all immoral and sleazy and we can not attract the upper tier and be successful here if we are gonna live like pigs!
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immoral according to who? get off your high horse you prude.
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Thank you Caleb
You forgot how much the business owner also complain about the Snow Birds.
My first year in pc was 1981. When all the Crazy pete sunglass shops were around, the 1 dollars daiquiry shacks, not 12 dollars. Panama city was much better in the 80s and 90s than what it is now. Like you said maybe panama city should only be open from the memorial day week end and then close everything down aftler the labor day week end. Because everyone knows thats when families stop comming, or that what some people would have you think,
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To bad for me, Im married and wont be able to enjoy the club if it does re-open. How can you people say its bad for our image? Have you driven down front beach road and read the signs on the head shops, and xxx novelty shops. Some say 10,000 XXX movies, adult toys, smoking accesories, etc.
Why arent you people out protesting these shops? Do they not set a bad example for tourists? Lets see, your 16 year old daughter wont be allowed in Show-n-Tail, but she is more than welcome to browse through the other shops, although she might not be allowed through the beads to actually see the xxx goodies, but she can shop in the store.Not to mention she will see a whole lot more nudity and sex during the super clubs and hotels during spring break.
Im sure the County Commisioners wont vote to allow this to happen, although I dont see why they should care, they are all going to be voted out of office when their terms are up anyway,JMO.
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Have we all forgotten the wreck where the YOUNG WOMEN left Show and Tail and had the accident that killed the gentleman, or the mass shooting in there? The young women is still incarcerated and I think it has been 10 years. I don’t see anything wrong with this type of business’ if it is managed correctly, but if the business is not managed correctly and they allow people to drink, or feed alcohol to people, to the point of not even realizing that they have run over someone then I would have an issue with any of our bars being allowed to continue to be operated or to re open.
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Our family has been vacationing in PCB for over 25 years and we think of PCB as a family fun vacation. In our opinion…Show and Tail does not fit that criteria and should not be allowed to set up shop anywhere. If the county allows them to, it will hurt the integrity of PCB’s reputation as a good, clean family place to vacation.
With the development of Pier Park, PCB is becoming a premier spot for it’s residents and vacationers. We hope for everyone’s sake, they are not allowed to open.
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Man, I love the freedom of the good ‘ol US-of-A!!!
I have an idea. Don’t go if you don’t approve. Something tells me that you would think differently if a special interest group attacked your own business or industry. When government has the power – you have no power.
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I agree completely. If you don’t like strip clubs then do not patronize them. Nobody is forcing anybody to go there. Watching half-naked ladies dance happens to be a very popular form of entertainment for many adults – including, yes, tourists and family men. It also provides much-needed income for the ladies in a town where the economy is not exactly great and decent employment is limited.
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Well, why not just open in Panama City. They already have a few of these crude places over there so one more won’t hurt, right? We can all weigh in morally on the rights and wrongs of this sort of business, but whether or not one thnks that strip joints are okay, no one wants one near their home or better businesses.There are several in PC and one more probably won’t matter much, so why not just go to PC and open this club. There have been several nights when I wanted to go across the bridge to shop or have dinner, but just did not want to make the drive. So, in theory, perhaps locating this establishment in PC will keep some of the possible PCB patrons from deciding not to go over the bridge as well.
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whoa good point
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If it re-opens at all it should be way, way out away from high traffic areas. Personally, I think we can do with out this type of business and be just fine.
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looks to me like it should move to down town maybe it would Lavinie it up some
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Absolutely not the right location! I’d like to see it way out in the country. If people need to go to places like that to get their jollies, the rest of us don’t have to see or be around it! It’s hard to believe there are women who still debase themselves like that.
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Bring on the girls, baby! Wooooooooooooo!!!!!
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So, Condom Knowledge is not a sexually oriented business, and neither is Night Movies. Both are on major roadways, and both are within 1500 feet of residences. Look, i don’t want it next door to my house either, but let’s be consistent in our application of the “rules”. I wonder if Allan has thought to look into the Commerce Park west of 79. It is off the beaten path and out of any TDC corridors. And for all of the high brow judgment passin’ folks, i assure you that the demographics of the clientele at these establishments is at least 25%-30% women…not just perverted men looking to get their jollies off. One person’s definition of entertainment does not have to be everyone else’s definition…this is America (for now).
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dont forget about “dirty dicks” hahahah
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I don’t think it would hurt anything, look at all the bars, head shops, etc.
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I love good clean HYPOCRISY vis a vi related comments – I’ll bet some of you don’t even turn the lights out in the bedroom – if you know what I mean. Certainly don’t want our ‘young’ folks falling prey to the dark side – but as business goes – every one counts. Get over yourselves and get on with ‘business’. ‘Clubs’ are as good as any business in PCB – they all contribute to the economy.
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Has anyone been to for Club La Vela or even heard the radio spot for the night clubs. Theses clubs have wet tee- shirt contest outside. 18 year olds are allowed to go. People open your eyes. These clubs have more stuff going on promoting sex and getting drunk then you think.Show & Tail should be allowed to open. Check out the rules of the strip clubs. And compare to whats going on at the night clubs ( Club La Vela) for one. Dont be a hyocrite. Open your eyes people.
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PCB has been steadily undergoing a transformation from what it was 30 years ago. Most of these changes from my opinion have been for the better. Pier park, the airport, the strip along Thomas drive over by the Naval base, the two new piers, upscale highrises. Some I am not so sure about. I miss the go carts, miracle strip, small hotels. I do not miss Show ‘n Tail. I lived in the neighborhood where it was located, and did not like the beer bottles, and open promiscuious activity.
We need to recognize that money drives the decisions, and strip clubs do not bring in additional revenue. Instead it drives off family oriented tourist while not bringing in enough revenue to offset it. No one is going to drive more than 25 miles to see a strip club. There are 1000’s of them. People will drive and fly for hours to get to a clean, fun, family beach. That by the way is the difference between Club La Vela and a strip club, MONEY.
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Larry,
Please show us you stats to back your comments 🙂
Cheers
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Just this morning La Velas is advertising for the “tightest ass” contest on the radio for Thursday night. Whats the difference, the girls will be dressed no differently from the waist down. Sounds like a family type event to me.
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Thomas Drive certainly does not need this place to re-open there & for this matter neither should Condom Knowledge or Purple Haze be located there or down on 98.
Move all of them across the bridge over in the old part of the city where the other two sleeze bag clubs are! I’ve passed these when going to eat over by the bay.
Remember, YOU as PCB citizens are trying to re-furbish Thomas Drive and welcome “Visitors” …. you are advertising “family” oriented vacations, this sure don’t fit into that area.
Someone mentioned Club La Vela……. I am happy I came to PCB hundreds of times and when a teen, I never once went there nor did our son when he was a teen. Actually, it needs to be re-located too but… I’m sure since it draws thousands of Spring Breakers it will stay there!
You know I live just outside Nashville Tn. “We” have our problem areas too just as each city. The city officials have to keep control over these things, sometimes we can’t change this but…. we do not have to patronize them! That is our right!
You might ask: Why did I write this concern…. because I love PCB and always have. I care about your city!
Somehow you can’t change a sow’s ear into a silk purse!
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As a local business owner, I believe that this establishment goes against everything we are trying so hard to achieve on Panama City Beach….A more family oriented atmosphere. For once, someone should listen to the locals…we have an over abundance of condos that aren’t being used because someone got greedy and allowed SOOOO many to be built. It has ruined our shoreline. The East end of Panama City Beach is one giant concrete jungle that blocks the beautiful views that we used to be about from anyone smaller than they are. We need to unite to clean up Panama City Beach so FAMILIES will want to vacation here. Take the money for Show N Tail and open something family friendly.
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As long as you have head shops and sex shops your image will never change. This is just a matter of fact. Learn from the past and do not repeat it.
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No one is going to not come here because we have a strip joint on the beach, in my opinion its usually the fat low self esteem type women who have a problem with these types of establishments.
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For your information visitors with families steer clear of low class areas these clubs are usually found at.
Who in their right mind would want to stay or much less own a multi-million dollar condo located beside or up the street from this?
Noone………..
In my opinion its usually the fat low self esteem type man who want these types of establishments, because they cannot obtain any sexual attention at home or for that matter anywhere!
If you have a “pipe” I suggest you smoke that!
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