I’d like to begin by thanking Andy for allowing me to guest post here. My choice of this venue, versus any other blog or other media is not intended to slight any other blog or website.  Rather, I believe this blog attracts people from all sides of the issue at hand.  For those who ask why I am the “voice of the opposition”,  I am wondering the same thing. I will say, as far as I know, I am the only person who has spoken with all involved and interested parties, and while I am on the side of opposing KK’s Temptations, I think I have a unique perspective to offer. I hope you will consider my opinions and observations when formulating yours.

I’d also be remiss if I did not thank Mr. & Mrs. Skokan. They had several potential clients present, when I walked in, but took the time to speak with me.

It is not secret that I oppose KK’s Temptation’s business model, and I hope I have been clear in what I object to, and why I object to it.  Simply put, I object to KK’s Temptations sale of XXX-rated DVD’s, and the “Adult DVDs” advertisement in their front window.  I do not think that these items appropriate for sale in Old Town Manassas, and clearly advertising their sale in an area frequented by families detrimental to the image that the City and Old Town business community is trying to portray in Old Town.  I do not object to the “Lingerie, Lotions & More” portion of the business model.

For those who had not seen it, Mrs. Kim Skokan and I presented our sides of the issue  on a local nightly news segment.  I said I objected to XXX-rated videos, and their being sold in an area frequented by families with children.  Mrs. Skokan admitted that she did in fact sell these XXX-rated DVDs.  When asked by the anchor if she would stop selling them to be “neighborly”, she argued that people were purchasing these items, so as long as there was a business demand, she would sell them.  In the back and forth, she asked if I had been in her store. I admitted I had not, and said I hadn’t because she sells something I object to, as a matter of principle. She responded that I should visit her store, before I condemn it.  Some folks who saw the exchange said she had a point. While I didn’t exactly see it that way (saying she admits she sells the XXX-videos),  I did get to thinking about it, and decided to visit the store. Well, maybe Mrs. Skokan and others had a point, after all.

Accompanied by Mrs. Thomas, I visited the store on Saturday afternoon. The Skokans,  quite graciously took the time to talk to me, and I must say that this was time well spent on my part.  I hope they feel the same way.  First, I will say I can see the effort that the Skokans have put forth to present their store in the most tasteful manner possible.  They have given up potential shelf space to keep the more risqué items hidden from the street.  The front of the store, where the intimate apparel is displayed, is very much laid out in a tasteful manner.  According to Mrs. Thomas, the items in the front section of the shop are classy, and reasonably priced.  Having a limited frame of reference, I’ll accept her assessment without reservation. 

The Skokans greeted me in a warm and friendly manner, and considering the fact that I have been one of their most vocal opponents, honestly this surprised me. They actually appeared happy to see me there, and escorted me to “the back”, as they fully understood why I was there.  Mr. Skokan explained how the shelves were laid out, and said “If I understand your concerns, you would be interested in this area of our shelf-space”. This was the area where their DVD selection is displayed.  This consisted of about half of one wall, with approximately 150 titles on the shelves. Mr. Skokan pointed to one section and said, “we consider these, “instructional videos” “, which made up about 25% of the shelf-space devoted to DVDs. I asked a few questions regarding these DVD’s, and agreed with their characterization of them as “instructional”. We spent the remaining time discussing the XXX titles (and they agree that the DVDs are indeed XXX), what percentage of projected sales on these items are, and what their rationale was for carrying these items.  I was surprised as to how little of their entire store is devoted to XXX-videos. To help you visualize this, if KK’s Temptations were a burger joint, the lingerie, shoes, undies and such are the burgers and soda. The lotions and “toys” the fries, and the XXX-rated DVD’s the “apple pie”.  They are trying to be a “one-stop-couples-shop”.  I can see this. I just object to the “apple pie”.  I offered suggestions, they offered counters to them. We also discussed how things unfolded.  I think it was here where we came to the most mutual understanding.

I think both Mr. and Mrs. Skokan and I agree that there were points in the timeline where misunderstandings could have been avoided.  We also agreed that the press had little interest in conveying facts, and was more interested in keeping the acrimony flowing.  Mrs. Skokan cited many examples of the press editing her comments where she tried to make or clarify some point. I agreed, because they did the same to me. They also, very graciously, told me that they only began to understand the opposition until I started to comment publically on the issue.  I told them I only represent a constituency of one, although I think I my objections representative of the majority of those opposed to their business.
So, my impressions of the Skokans are they are reasonable, pleasant people, and they willing to listen. They are trying to run a business, and make money doing so.  I can appreciate this. They are business owners, and I believe that if dropping the XXX-DVD’s was a demonstrably good business decision, where they gain more sales than they are currently losing, they would. I understand what marketing theme they are trying to convey, and honestly can’t call it “bad” or “evil”.  They are marketing to women and couples, and that’s who I saw in their store. As we were leaving,  Mrs. Thomas pointed to some bit of clothing that caught her eye, and Mrs. Skokan  noticed this as well. I left this with: if they can find a way to quit selling XXX-rated videos, I would be back to purchase that item myself.   Mr. and Mrs. Skokan, as well as Miss Skokan all smiled. I smiled too. 

I think that finally, we are talking.