Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Suit over Gwinnett’s sex shop restrictions tossed; battle not over

Gwinnett County wants to shutter Tokyo Valentino, which sells sex toys at a store on Pleasant Hill Road near Duluth. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Gwinnett County wants to shutter Tokyo Valentino, which sells sex toys at a store on Pleasant Hill Road near Duluth. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
By
March 28, 2017

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Gwinnett County’s adult entertainment ordinance.

Tokyo Valentino filed its lawsuit in United States District Court in 2015, arguing that a county ordinance requiring licenses for adult entertainment shops was too vague and violated the store's rights to free speech and due process. Subsequent filings in the case challenged a new ordinance created by the county after the original lawsuit was launched. That ordinance added more restrictions, including one limiting where such adult shops could be located.

But the lengthy legal battle initiated by Tokyo Valentino, an adult novelty shop near Gwinnett Place Mall, is complicated.

And, even with Monday’s federal court ruling, it’s not over.

Read the full story at myAJC.com.  

MORE: Sandy Springs scraps ban on sex toy sales

MORE: Why are there no strip clubs in Gwinnett County?

About the Author

Tyler Estep hosts the AJC Win Column, Atlanta's new weekly destination for all things sports. He also shepherds the Sports Daily and Braves Report newsletters to your inbox.

Follow Tyler Estep on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

A person exits the Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta after casting his ballot during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

900,000 turn out on Election Day across Georgia

Georgia Public Service Commission seats are on the on the ballot for first time since 2020. Atlanta mayor, local government and school board seats are also up for grabs.

Atlanta traffic patterns are changing, report says. How it impacts your drive.

A recent study from Texas A&M University backs up what we're all seeing: Roads are clogged all day long, and by some metrics, traffic is busier than in 2019.

COUNCIL POWER SHIFT

Marci Collier Overstreet declares victory in Atlanta City Council president race

Overstreet’s win represents a victory for Atlanta establishment politics, including Mayor Andre Dickens as he enters a second term.

The Latest

Atlanta firefighters respond to a fatal blaze at Venetian Hills Apartments on Campbellton Road in Atlanta on March 15, 2017. A $140 million verdict awarded to the family of the tenant who died in the fire was erased Friday by the Georgia Court of Appeals. (John Spink/AJC file)

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

$140M verdict axed in fatal Atlanta apartment fire lawsuit

Atlanta traffic patterns are changing, report says. How it impacts your drive.

COUNCIL POWER SHIFT

Marci Collier Overstreet declares victory in Atlanta City Council president race

Featured

Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

‘Landslide’ PSC sweep jolts Georgia Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms

Georgia Democrats put Republicans 'on notice' ahead of 2026 midterms with Public Service Commission wins.

Atlanta traffic patterns are changing, report says. How it impacts your drive.

A recent study from Texas A&M University backs up what we're all seeing: Roads are clogged all day long, and by some metrics, traffic is busier than in 2019.

Mrs. America isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty

From beauty queen to cricket farmer to grief coach, Buford resident Paige Ewing keeps it real. She is the 2025 Mrs. America, and in January she will compete for Mrs. World.