Where is the call to close down many of the bars on upper thames, where on any weekend evening one can witness a prominent display of drunken people dressed like strippers?

Oh wait. These are the people lining your pockets...

The bars need to go as well.

Newport is quickly becoming a tourist attraction for the daytripper who wishes to shop t-shirt stores, buy tacky knick knacks and go bar hopping into the early morning hours. Without proper future planning Newport will be a forgotten yachty town with mansions.

If the overall tone of the town were gentrified, many of the daytrippers and bar trash would stay in MA!

I was just walking by this store today observing that it was disgusting and inappropriate that a store such as this that prominently displays pornographic materials be allowed to continue to operate along Thames Street in the heart of the tourist area this town works so hard to promote. I have no commercial interest in this issue; I'm just a tax paying resident who was shocked by what I saw when walking home from the center of town. Shame on Newport for allowing this to continue to operate "as is".

This store is an embarrasment to our city. Adult products of this nature are regulated in other towns. If the owner of the store or the landlord is following this - PLEASE clean up your act. City officials: Do something!

This store is a disgrace. It is just not necessary to have something this filthy in a family vacation spot.
It's not Key West, New Orleans or Las Vegas. As a communication analyst mentioned, "It attracts hormonal adolescent boys, prostitutes, and perverts. The traffic also includes the curious and naive.

Wow. I can't believe my comment was flagged. If the City by the Sea really so narrow-minded?

My point was that there are better things to worry about than a tiny shop on Lower Thames. There's nothing in its window displays that is any worse than what you (or your kids) see on television, on the internet, or hear on the radio. I'm just as offended as the next guy by what's put out there by the media, but I'm also a firm believer in freedom of expression (if it weren't free, who would get to make the rules, and based on what standards?), so I don't hesitate to change the station or avert my eyes. I get that people worry about families passing by, but I work with kids aged 11-18, and I assure you sex shops are the least of our problems.

In the end, you might not like the shop, but no one's forcing you to go in, buy anything, or even look past the window displays to get a glimpse of the "dirtier" merchandise. Live and let live, and be happy that they don't prop pink flamingos up along their section of sidewalk.

hadenough - Had you written "If the overall tone of the town were gentrified, Newport will be a forgotten yachty town with mansions," I'd be inclined to agree with you. Face it, Newport is a tourist town, and with tourism comes "daytrippers," "bar trash," and *gasp* horrid people who might buy things at sex shops!

The fact that so many people are up in arms about a tiny store on Lower Thames is laughable. Perhaps you should be spending less time demonizing people who want to add a little spice to their life, and more time paying attention to your teenage children who hang around Upper Thames on the weekends. Judging from what comes out of their mouths, they know a lot more about sex (and drugs, for that matter) than most adults I know, and I assure you a sex shop wasn't their teacher.

First ammendment