Langan weighs in: Eric Langan often speaks at the Central City Council meetings. He shares with The Mountain-Ear: Is toplessness even considered nudity by law? He said he will open Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse in October.[/caption]
The City of Central has been facing the possibility of licensing a Sexually-Oriented Business in its downtown area and the issue has stirred much debate.
Eric Langan, head of RCI Hospitality Holdings and Central City resident, has been working toward the goal of opening an SOB at 130 Main Street to be called Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse. Initially, he had applied for a gaming license, but later withdrew the application.
According to RCI’s website, “Our subsidiaries own and operate over forty establishments under multiple brands throughout the nation.”
Some of the subsidiary names include PT’s, Diamond Cabaret, and Rick’s.
Langan, who serves on the Central City Downtown Development Authority, has been involved in City politics and regularly attends the City Council meetings.
He said he approached the City regarding the 130 Main Street property, discussed his plans, and, after receiving positive feedback, proceeded with the purchase.
Langan stated he has invested $14 million in Central and invites locals to visit the Dallas/Fort Worth Rick’s Cabaret website at ricksdfw.com to see his vision.
He added that four months before he bought the building, the Planning Commission voted 4 to 1 to reduce the current distance restriction on SOBs from 1,000 feet to 150 feet. He said he would not have bought the property if he believed the City would deny his intended use.
Recently, Langan and RCI filed a lawsuit against the City of Central, alleging violations of the 1st, 5th, and 14th amendments. They argue that the City’s zoning ordinances effectively ban SOBs, constituting an unconstitutional prior restraint on free expression and a violation of due process.
“I hate lawsuits, but I’m not afraid to use them if I have to,” Langan said, noting that RCI may file a temporary injunction claiming the City’s actions are retaliatory.
He further stated that even if the City bans nudity, federal courts have ruled that latex qualifies as clothing. He cited a successful lawsuit in Texas, where the state comptroller had to cover all legal fees.
Langan warned that Central could face similar consequences.
“If you’re not offended, I’ll show you what I mean.” Upon agreeing, he demonstrated the difference between a bare breast and one covered with latex and makeup, sharing a photo on his phone of how closely the latex can resemble bare skin.
“Nudity draws people to our establishments, but it’s not what keeps them there,” Langan explained. “Ninety percent of our top girls sit in VIP rooms in dresses and drink champagne. A guy comes in and he wants to escape. The guy feels like, ‘Oh, I’ve got it; oh, she’s into me.’ It’s a temporary escape from reality.”
When asked what he believes the City hopes to achieve, Langan responded sarcastically that they might hope to increase his legal fees, which they could end up paying if they lose the lawsuit.
“All they’re doing is making it more unconstitutional,” he said, referring to the First Amendment protections that SOBs have under freedom of expression.
Langan also referenced the Fort Collins “Free the Nip” case and other precedents, including a Chicago case where a hermaphroditic individual won a settlement for indecent exposure.
He emphasized that RCI has been using latex as clothing in Texas for 25 years and will find a way to operate in Central, either by adhering to or circumventing regulations.
“We plan on opening sometime at the end of October, as a nightclub,” Langan concluded. “We’ll have a fun place, we’ll have good steaks, and everybody will see there’s no monster under the bed.”
