Judge’s Ruling Keeps Sex Bookstore Open

In a setback for Palmdale officials, a Los Angeles federal court judge Thursday not only refused the city’s attempt to close its only hard-core sex bookstore, but ruled the store can open video viewing booths.

During an hourlong hearing, U.S. District Court Judge William M. Byrne questioned whether the City Council had proper legal grounds when it denied operating permits on Feb. 26 to Sunshine Gifts and Things, owned by the N.L. Management Co.

Byrne issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by the company that allows the bookstore to continue offering sexually explicit books and videos. It also can now open seven video viewing booths.

Byrne’s ruling, also a setback to a vocal citizens’ anti-pornography group that has emerged in Palmdale, takes effect immediately. Unless overturned on appeal, the order remains in effect pending a trial on the dispute, now set for Sept. 10. It was not immediately known whether the city plans to appeal.

The day after the Palmdale council’s denial of the store’s operating permits, city officials briefly closed it. But the store, located near City Hall on Sierra Highway, reopened the same day under an agreement between the attorneys for both sides pending the federal court decision.