Heath department shuts down Lansing adult bookstore, club for violating emergency orders

LANSING – A combination adult bookstore and back-room club in south Lansing has been ordered to close for violating the state's emergency orders intended to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said she issued a cease-and-desist order that was served on the business Friday.

"My understanding is that they have closed," Vail said on Friday night.

Named in the order were Fantasies Unlimited and Club Tabu, which occupy the same storefront on South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, north of West Holmes Road, Vail said.

Club Tabu describes itself as a "men's alternative lounge" on its website. 

Vail said her action came about a week after the business was served with a warning letter from Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon. Vail issued the cease-and-desist order after learning the club was still open, she said.

Vail said Siemon's office viewed the order before it was served by police.

The operation is not on the list of essential businesses allowed to be open under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's emergency orders, Vail said. As of Friday night, the business had not been cited for violating the emergency orders, Vail said.

If it doesn't comply, Vail said, she could go to court to force it's closure. 

"We have law enforcement folks who are willing to go out and visit the business (to make sure they remain closed), she said."

No one answered the phone on Friday night at a number listed online for the business.

Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.