Sex Shop Sign Discussed at Borough Council

The West Chester Borough Council will vote on the appropriateness of a new sign that will hang outside of Feminique Boutique on Wednesday.  Several borough council members and residents feel that the new sign is too risqué for the borough.

“The sign reads, ‘get your heart on,’” said borough council member Chuck Christy to Feminine Boutique owner Jill McDevitt.  “Would you like to comment on what that means?”

McDevitt declined to answer.

The sign in question features the outline of a female figure with a red heart drawn over the woman’s pubic area.  Beneath the figure is the store’s new slogan, “Get your heart on.”

“It falls under the borough code for public indecency,” said borough resident Meg Twomey.  This sign would be right next to a church and around the corner from a school.  It makes an obscene reference to an erect penis.”

Another resident said that she had no problem with sexuality, but that she believed the street of downtown West Chester was not the place for it.

“I know the perception people will have of me.  They will say, ‘Oh, she’s just a prude.’  I am not a prude.  I have six children,” said resident Mary Jo Zengeo.  “Human sexuality is a beautiful thing.  But I think this sign is degrading to our town, and West Chester is not the place for it.”

When Feminique Boutique first opened McDevitt signed an agreement with the borough that states:

“Our signage and advertising will be similarly discreet and also will not depict human genitals, pubic region, anus, buttocks or female breasts or sexual activity involving those areas.”

“With this sign McDevitt has breached her agreement with the borough,” said council member Cassandra Jones.  “It does not keep with the moral character of the borough.”

Borough manager Ernie McNeely said that the agreement McDevitt signed with the borough was not a legally binding contract, but he said it did carry some legal weight because it helped McDevitt get her business.

Borough resident Joe Norley stated that the sign did not offend him, and he said the heart covering the pubic region was similar to a bikini bottom.

“One person’s morality is another person’s immorality,” Norley said.  “There are 30 some liquor licenses in the borough.  If were going to start determining morality than we’ll also have to go after the liquor licenses.”

Borough Council member Jordan Norley said that it was not up to the council to determine morality.

“It’s not up to us to determine what’s offensive,” Norley said.  “We can only enforce the laws as they’re written.”

Borough Council will take a full vote on the sign at the monthly meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Do you feel the sign is offensive?  Please let us know in the survey and comments below.