Sep 23, 2008

Romantic Boutique Owner Sues North Texas CitiesBy Jack FinkCBS11TV.com

Is it a sexually oriented business or just another gift shop? The owner of a romantic gift boutique is suing three North Texas cities, claiming they’re violating her constitutional rights.

The owner of a North Texas Condoms to Go store and a sister chain, Sara’s Secret, is speaking out. Meanwhile, the cities she’s suing are staying quiet.

Sara Lee Goff says she has a good working relationship with cities across the Dallas area. But things changed when she tried opening her Sara’s Secret romantic gift boutiques in Garland, Rowlett and Murphy.

According to Goff the cities wouldn’t grant her a certificate of occupancy to allow her to open the businesses. “I don’t understand why none of the three cities would give me a CO, because we are in Plano, Carrollton, McKinney, Frisco, Desoto… we’re in suburbs,” Goff explained.

So the business owner is headed to court. Goff says her businesses are, “… no different than Wal-Mart, Penny’s, Spencer’s, [or] any other gift store.”

This isn’t the first time Goff has sued a city. In 1995, she took on the City of Carrollton and won.

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