Adult Store will not open

Just a few weeks ago construction crews were working hard preparing for the opening of Cupids Castle. The opening was set for the middle of this month. But today, crews are gone, most signs are gone, and the front door is shut all due to a change of mind by the owner of the building. Two weeks ago the adult store, Cupids Castle, was getting ready to open. After receiving backlash from neighbors store owner Troy Fritz fired back by saying: "Its a free country. We have freedom to open a business like this thats why were here." Today however, neighbors will have the last word. A few weeks ago security cameras were being installed all around the. Today however those cameras are gone, a sign that was a front window is gone and the door is shut and will not be opening for business. The reasoning: building owner Tony Hakimzadeh simply changed his mind, deciding not to allow the store to open. "What is done is done and it will never happen again” says Hakimzadeh. This is a decision neighbors I spoke with are very happy about. "I believe Tony weighed the situation and seeing what was coming in here was going to affect the neighbors" says neighbor Bill Blanton. In a community newsletter last month New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald mentioned Cupid’s Castle and his opposition to its opening. “Like you, I do not feel that such an establishment is desired or needed in our community. To make our position as clear as possible, we are opposed to such establishments” says McDonald. I called and left a message with Troy Fritz but he has yet to respond. In 2002, the city of New Haven tried to pass an ordinance restricting all sexually oriented businesses from being near churches schools or residential areas. Mayor McDonald says that they plan to reintroduce the ordinance this month.