Juice Bar Plan Draws Protests

Plans to convert a former health spa in west Anaheim into an adult cabaret are sparking an angry response from nearby businesses, residents and even officials of neighboring Buena Park.

An Anaheim hearing officer will rule no later than Thursday on whether the proposal for the business conforms with the city’s zoning regulations and will therefore be allowed to open.

The so-called nude juice bar would be at the former site of Imperial Health Spa, 2640 W. Woodland Drive near La Palma and Magnolia avenues.

The prospect of having an adult business so close to the Buena Park border is not sitting well with that city’s officials.

“I don’t want to just issue a little protest,” Buena Park Councilman Donald L. Bone said this week. “I’d like to really get on top of this,” he said, even taking legal action if necessary.

Buena Park City Atty. James L. Markman said his office will research what options would be available if the club were permitted to open, but said there is little his city can do about an Anaheim decision.

Carole Stanley, business liaison for the West Anaheim Better Businesses and Concerned Citizens organization, said that city too has concerns.

“We’re positive it will lead to decay,” she said of the proposed cabaret.

A lawyer for Mohammad Johar, who is proposing to open the club, said Friday that free speech rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution do not allow cities to ban sex-oriented businesses.

“We expect to get the permit,” said attorney Roger Jon Diamond, who sought to reassure businesses and residents that they would not be affected by the club. “There’s going to be zero impact.”