Sex And The Suburb

Reason Magazine looks at one town's struggle to save mom-and-pop porn shops. Are legitimate adult uses a new strategy for community development?

1 minute read

August 19, 2003, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The Penthouse Boutique is one part porn shop and two parts Wal-Mart... A recent New York Times article places Milford, Connecticut first among a host of suburban towns forced to reckon with large, upscale 'adult emporiums.' Milford's main streets have been lined with blacked out windows for years, but the store in question has rejected the traditional low-profile facade, and the mayor is not pleased. Daniel Quinn, owner of the 10,000 square foot 'Penthouse Boutique' is engaged in a war with Milford's city council over zoning laws and police permits. But even amid the controversy, the store's instant popularity suggests that pornography continues to shed its stigma and widen its appeal."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, August 18, 2003 in Reason Online

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Mark, an older white man in a blue jacket, smiles in front of a plaque that commemorates his scholarship.

Federal government nominates new FTA administrator

Mark Aesch is currently the founder and CEO of a transportation management consulting firm.

5 seconds ago - Mass Transit

A rendering of people walking through a park to the chicago bears stadium, which is large and dome shaped.

Developers reveal $10 billion stadium plan as ‘Hail Mary’ to keep Bears in Chicago

The plan would also boast a public park, high- and mid-rise buildings and a youth sports complex.

2 hours ago - Chicago Sun Times

People watch as carbon dioxide is vented during a safety demonstration outside Nome City Hall in Jefferson Co.

As Texas embraces carbon storage, a Black community questions the risks

Texas now issues permits for companies to store carbon dioxide underground. East Texas residents fear safety risks, and skeptics doubt the climate benefits.

3 hours ago - Texas Tribune

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.