Judge Orders Owner of Intimate Treasures To Stop Construction

By: Jack MacNamara, Staff Writer

BRISTOL, TN — The injunction filed by Ritchie and Roma Phillips who are residents of the Sunnybrook subdivision, scored a victory over Lingerie and pleasure products boutique retail chain Intimate Treasures, when a Sullivan County Chancery Court judge issued the order block the construction of a new Intimate Treasures adult store.

On Wednesday May 24 when Judge E.G. Moody granted a temporary injunction!

The new Intimate Treasures is being built on Volunteer Parkway at the entrance to the Phillips neighborhood and that is what has them up in arms.

According to the Phillips, building anything other than a house, duplex or apartment on the property is against the neighborhood’s restrictive covenants.

Attorney Ricky Curtis who represents the Phillips of the Subdivision said…”Judge Moody has ordered all construction related to the proposed relocation of Intimate Treasures to Sunnybrook Subdivision must immediately cease” said Ricky Curtis.

Ritchie and Roma Phillips filed their lawsuit on April 20 in Sullivan County Chancery Court demanding a declaratory judgment in order to halt construction of the adult store.

A spokesperson for Intimate Treasures owner Mark Hatfield who operates 7 brick & mortar locations said, “Mr. Hatfield had planned to close the store on Pennsylvania Avenue and move to the new site on the Volunteer Parkway because it’s a more visible, busy area.”

On Wednesday, Judge E.G. Moody the block is only pending until a further hearing on the grounds that Hatfield had notice of the protective covenants when he bought the site and “alternatively, than an equitably imposition of the restrictive covenants is mandated pursuant to the general plan of development.”

Attorney Edward Brading, who representatives Mark Hatfield’s Intimate Treasures, has yet to make a statement on the ruling. No date has been set for a further hearing.

So what will happened? Will the county give Mr. Hatfield a reimbursement on the property? Will this drag on in the courts for 5 to 10 years? We will keep you posted if any new developments arise.

The Intimate Treasures retail chain is a wonderful place for all walks of life to enjoy shopping at and for certain politicians to act on their own personal sense of morality is truly what is out of place here. We hope that Mr. Hatfield will fight this outrageous ruling.

If you wish to show your support, visit Intimate Treasures Store Locator. Once again, showing that they provide diversity and convenience for their customers.