Wednesday, Apr. 08, 2009

Tattoo shop, adult-video store reopen

Two U.S. 17 businesses embroiled in a legal dispute with the town of Atlantic Beach - Excitement Video and 5 Jesters Custom Tattoo - secured a court order today to allow them to keep operating, officials said.

The businesses served the town Wednesday morning with a restraining order signed by Judge Larry Hyman, said tattoo shop owner Stan Hudgins, adding that he was "entitled to due process'' during the dispute and planned to reopen immediately.

Town Manager Kenneth McIver, who had ordered Excitement Video's business-license withdrawn Tuesday over unpaid fees, had no comment today about the court order.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control revoked the tattoo shop's permit last week, but department spokesman Adam Myrick said that action remains open to appeal.