FARGO (KFGO) – An attorney for Enchantasys, a company that sells sexual toys, lingerie, and other products, has drawn up a petition to recall a new City of Fargo zoning ordinance that would change the classification of their two stores from “retail” to “adult.”
The new ordinance, which was approved by the City Commission on Monday, is set to go into effect Jan. 4. Enchantasys’ petition needs to be filed within 10 days. Since that falls on a Saturday, the company has until Jan. 16 to gather the required 2,500 signatures.
Enchantasys is challenging the ordinance because the change from a “retail” classification to an “adult” classification means they would not be able to allow anyone under the age of 18 into either of their stores.
Kim Patterson said their store is different from other stores in Fargo that sell similar products in both their focus and the fact that their employees are trained. She said they are open to communicating with the City and explaining those differences, but are willing to fight and get the signatures they need to block the ordinance.
“We’ve been here for almost 20 years. If the City had a problem with us, they should have come and talked to us,” owner Kim Patterson said.
According to City Auditor Steve Sprague, if Enchantasys is successful in gathering the signatures, the Auditor’s Office would have to verify them. Assuming the signatures are sufficient and valid, the ordinance would be put on hold until the City Commission determines if it wants to rescind the ordinance or put it on the ballot for the next city-wide election, which would be in 2024.
Over the next two and a half weeks, Patterson said they will be in different areas of Fargo collecting signatures. They are currently putting together a calendar of when and where they will be. The schedule is available at meetkimandjim.com/petition-support.
