Here's a "man fights City Hall" story, with a twist: when Old Town Alexandria's architectural review committee forbid Michael Zarlenga from altering historic property and renovating his store, he decided to exact a little revenge:
To many in Old Town Alexandria, the sex shop that opened recently on King Street is nothing short of scandalous, a historical desecration just blocks from the boyhood home of Robert E. Lee.
But to Michael Zarlenga, it's justice.
Zarlenga spent $350,000 on plans to expand his hunting and fishing store, the Trophy Room. He worked with city officials for almost two years and thought he had their support -- until the architectural review board told him he couldn't alter the historic property.
Furious and out of money, Zarlenga rented the space to its newest occupant, Le Tache.
"I can't say I didn't know it would ruffle feathers," said Zarlenga, 41. "Actually, I was hoping for a fast-food chain because I thought that would be more annoying to the city."
Allison Klein of the Washington Post has more on the story: Link (Photo: Tracy A. Woodward)
Previously on Neatorama: Man Fights City Hall ... With Signage
What I don't understand is how could he be so oblivious to the rule. I don't even live in Old Town and I knew this. And why would he have to completely renovate the place just to open a fishing and hunting shop. (Ignoring the fact that old town Alexandria has never struck me as a hub for fishers and hunters)
I mean, you wouldn't want someone moving in next door to you, tearing down the old house and rebuilding some monstrosity. That is why laws like this are in place. To preserve the feel of the neighborhood.
I hope they like their new sex shop. It's pretty historic. The sex trade is as old as anything.