Comments

1
Oh man. Who will provide me with high quality, sexy puns now?
2
Sad.
3
I've never been, but man that's a bummer...
4
This is sad. I'll have to get down there.

They'll probably turn it into a taco bell or something.
5

Biggest problem for LL?

No free parking for 64 year old men from Silverdale driving Dodge Rams with duellies.
6
That marque is like the best part of walking down 1st.
7
It's funny how it changed over the years without changing -- the neighborhood changed around it. When it opened, it was an oasis of clever in a desert of sleaze; now it's the only saucy thing on a street of corporate blankness.

In 1960, it was the Seven Seas Tavern.
8

An old sign is nice, but Mimi Gates is going to have to come up with more than that to compete a mom who gave her son an entire monopoly.

9
It's the only thing with personality and authenticity in that whole area. Wedged uncomfortably between the hoity toity 4 Seasons and the high-rise condos, it's the only slice of humor and cheeky creativity left on that strip. Sad day.
10
Loony feminists and fundies agree: Shaking your pussy at boys is bad.
11
The marquee is indeed a Seattle treasure.

One that made me bust out laughing:
"Carpe Carnem"
14
From the outside: It's a treasure. It's the rare business that deserves the adjective 'sassy'.

From the inside: I have no idea. That will clearly have to change.

I foresee that there will be many trips made by in the weeks to come by folks who loved the signage but who could never bring themselves to brave the interior. I suppose that could be decried as the typical 'too-little-too-late' spectator-ism, but so be it. Seattle will give the owners a couple of good months before they sign off.
13
The first time I was turned loose as a teenager downtown, the Lusty's marquee during the Chuck Close (Chuck Clothes) exhibit was the only thing I took a picture of all day. Guess I'll have to venture inside now.
15
That place is a seattle icon, for its marquee alone. Another piece of my hometown flushed away by the prevailing tastes of the world. Sad.
The autopsy will be death by free internet porn.
I guess I'll have to pop in, pay my respects, and risk getting my shoes stuck to the floor!
16
Oh, and thanks for the mammaries!
17
I'm going there at least once a week until they close.

SAD.
18
Oh Seattle, you will never be the same.
19
Sad. What will the World Economic Climate take from us next?
20
Should have bought and managed lustylady.com way back in the day when the domain was still available; of course then they probably would have IPO'd and gone bankrupt in 2002.
21
One of my favorite parts of going to SAM was being able to check out the latest sign at the LL across the street. (And, of course, seeing the shock and horror on visiting mothers' faces when their children asked the inevitable "Mommy, what's a Lusty Lady?") I seriously hope the sign remains standing as a reminder of times gone by.
22
@17: Do a story there, Kelly!

Hell, go tits out (literally) and ask to perform as a part of the story.
23
The fireworks were saved - can't we save the Lusty Lady? Starbucks? Microsoft? Chase? (you're right across the street!)
24
Where's Paul Allen when we need him?
25
NOOOOO!!!!! I walk by the Lusty Lady every day. I'm really going to miss their ever-changing-signs-o-pun!
26
When is the last day and why is it not part of the art walk?

27
People should suggest that the Lusty Lady donate the marquee to the Museum of History and Industry to display with all of the other defunct Seattle landmarks they already have (the Toe-Truck, the Dog House Bar sign, the seat from the bubble-ator, etc).
28
There should be some kind of endowment to keep the sign up, on, and supplied with sexy sexy puns.
29
We must save this important cultural institution.

I'm going down there for a wank right now!

Who's with me?
30
if they moved it into the new chihuly exhibit at Seattle Center we could all be happy.
31
@26, I see a point83 ride on the horizon.
32
What #7 said.
33
If that Seattle PI globe is a landmark, how could the Lusty Lady sign not be? The city needs to step in and preserve at least the sign, if not the whole establishment.
34
Best thing about LL: they fired Shannon "Goddess Kring" Kringen's self-absorbed ass. She eventually became a hooker at the female-owned Sacred Temple, and got fired from there too.
35
Perhaps the Wrights could buy it and install it in Seattle Center instead of the Chihuly crap. If they lowered the admission price, it would be a nice moneymaker and patrons would certainly go more than once. Tourist attraction, also.
37
@ 14, hilarious! I remember that sign.

This is the sort of news that's dreaded but not unexpected. Who goes to a 25-cent peep show these days?
38
This is awful. I'm going to have to go rent Cinderella Liberty and then have a good drunk and a good cry.

Best marquee ever: "Veni, Vidi, Veni."
39
I hope the last sign says "We are going tits up!"
41
@35: Sarah68, you are a goddamn genius.

I hope Tom Douglas is a fan of the LL.
42
They paid their employees well and let you see a real live vagina for a quarter. I'm shocked it survived this long.
43
My favorite marquee of theirs was "See Our Girls and Their Cunning Stunts".
44
what 28 said. I'm sad they're closing but that marquee NEEDS to be maintained somehow. we need a miracle...
45
@38: That's my favorite, too.
46
Calling Jim McDermott, we need a frickin' earmark here. think about how pissed off this would make the loyal opposition! I'm guessing that a third of them will implode and create mini black holes.Keeping the Lady open will cost less than a tire change on a B2 bomber. You know, those bombers that we use every day to protect our freedomz from teh Messicans.
47
I always liked "Erin go braless" every St. Patrick's Day.

@ 40, maybe they should have charged 50¢ ?
48
That is tragic! I look forward to my walk past the Lusty Lady every day with great anticipation of whether they have a new clever joke on their marquee. Seattle stepped up to save the fireworks, can we save the Lusty Lady?? I've got a few rolls of quarters I'll donate...!!
49
I'll miss the signs but I'm surprised they lasted this long. Anyone on this thread even been inside? I guess I should go check it out before they close for good..
50

Does a green handkerchief decorated with golden harps mean anything to ya?

51
I think their demise has little to do with the economy, and more to do with XTube. With the abundance of free porn on the internet, I'm surprised they lasted this long.
52
38/kk: Best marquee ever: "Veni, Vidi, Veni."

I was wondering if anyone was going to mention that one. I agree. It may not have been original, but it's brilliant.

It wasn't one of the best but I always smile thinking about "Obi Wan Disrobi."
53
This makes me so sad. I worked there for over 8 years, and loved it. What a fabulous community of women. Lusty Lady, I will miss you.

Oh, and my favorite marquee line was actually deemed too explicit to post: Cervix with a Smile.
54
So wait, the Central Cinema is putting together a fundraiser to get itself out of the hole but nothing, nothing is happening for the Lusty Lady to ... I'm too upset for puns! This is no time for puns!
55
When I say this, I mean it with completely sincerity... my heart is broken.
56
Depressing!
57
God, what is the world coming to? (Damn that could have been another marquee!) @ 38 - that was my fave too!
58
Where, I ask. Where will the spooge moppers go?
59
My favorite one was in honor of the Hammering Man statue across the street at SAM: "Hammer on, Big Guy."
60
i know for a fact that mimi gates wrote one of the marquees
61
Both this sign and the South End Steam Baths sign (currently languishing in Underground Seattle) need to be at MOHAI.
62
It's funny to me that so many people on this board are all like "I've never been, but it's so sad."

Uh, it's sad in a sense - I get the whole "woman-owned and managed" aspect of it (versus the sleazy world of compulsion depicted in the Colarucio indictment) - but it's really kind of a sad place. It smells like burnt rubber - the byproduct of hundreds of evidently desperately sex-starved dudes spilling loads on the floor. And whether woman-owned or not, it still perpetuates the notion that women's primary value is as objects of male attention.

It seems to me it's just another manifestation of a culture with an unhealthy attitude towards sex. I'm not going to over-romanticize it now that it's closing.
63
Could they move to somewhere with more foot traffic--maybe to Capitol Hill or somewhere--the way Elliot Bay Bookstore and Pioneer Square Video have? I don't understand how the economy can support new adult businesses like Sin Rock and Little Darlings, but not an old established one.
64
@62: "...it still perpetuates the notion that women's primary value is as objects of male attention."

Not exactly. You have to agree that women are, in fact, objects of male attention, yes? (This is lovely and accounts for the perpetuation of the species.) Why, then, should not women get paid for that if they choose?

The problem is that women (in general) have fewer options for economic self-sufficiency in our system (and most systems) than do men. When any person, female or male, is compelled to violate their personal integrity to survive, then you have a problem of economic injustice.

The Lusty Lady was an example of female economic self-empowerment, as far as I can tell.
65
You know, #62, unhealthy attitudes towards sex are in the eye of the beholder. I could, and possibly might, argue that the LL actually represents a much healthier attitude towards sex than the one implied by your comment.
66
Whats sad is that the people of seattle no longer support local businesses who resist the push of corporate homogenization. I, like many others, have watched seattle "evolve" (if that's what you want to call it) from a city that was cool funky and a little raunchy into a city of glass and chrome filled with northface and pottery barns.
And as for an "unhealthy attitude towards sex" definitelynotsad, you assume that a healthy attitude towards sex is the one you possess. how narrow minded can you be? and as for perpetuating that the notion that women's primary value is as an object of male attention... IDIOTIC. the lusty lady is work for many women... how they earn their income. do you let your job define your worth as a person? people choose to work there. it is clear to me that you do not value choice nor do you have any idea what you are talking about.
learn about fourth wave feminism.
67
Oh and to Kelly O.....
please do a story about the lusty and please make sure to get the insight of all the amazing people who work there. so many stories need to be told about the lusty to bust stupid assumptions and make people wake up to and fight for the seattle they are losing.
68
The last thing that made downtown Seattle NOT like Bellevue finally fell....
69
Why all the angst? You can still have titties shaken at you at Showgirls on 15th.
70
Such a bummer, however I'm really happy the SF cooperative, Lusty Lady, is still in business! Farewell LL! XOX
71
This makes me so sad. I worked there for 5 years from while I was in school and met some of the most amazing women you could possibly imagine there. I'm still friends with many of them to this day. Working there was a weird experience and sometimes felt like a bizarre sociology class but it never failed to be the most fun, supportive work environment I have ever experienced. It definitely played a big part in giving me the confidence to be myself and the comfort to express my sexuality without fear or shame. I will always treasure the women, the memories, and the impact the Lusty lady had on my life. I wouldn't trade those years for the world! RIP LL.
72
This makes me angry at the Internet.
75
Very sad. Especially since from what I understand it's actually owned and operated by women. So for women who want to get into that profession, it's actually a good environment. Maybe Oprah will buy it.

And now my favorite sign. Posted when the movie came out ...
"We'll free your willy here!"
76
@74, what tax rate are you proposing to impose on "free"?
77
@58.. i believe the correct term is 'cum busser'.. i knew a woman who worked there over twenty years ago, that's what she did there and that's what she called it.
78
@62, how could you miss the fact that a bunch of guys jacking off to a woman in a box is a healthy sexual outlet? I think having them sitting at home in front of their computers is just fine. Let's not have five feet from a live woman.
79
So sad, i worked there off and on for 11 years. End of an era, dowtown will never be the same. Many years of many guys getting a safe sexual outlet! And it was soooo fun! best job I ever had.

Sammy
80
My nomination for Best Sign, global economics category: "Welcome APECers!" Which was a friendly hellooooo to delegates attending the Asian-Pacific Economic Co-operation conference in 1993. I laugh every time I think about it! Although Veni, Vidi, Veni is pretty darn good, too. Can't believe I missed it!
81
Dear #38, #45, #52, & #57 ... thanks! I got a tee-shirt out of the deal that I still own. I never thought it would become a collector's item, but it looks like things change. I wonder if there'll be some sort of auction or sale where those of us who were around in the heady days could pick up a tee-shirt or a play day poster.
82
One day I walked by and it said "The Constant Hardener"...LOL.
83
I have worked at the lady for nearly 10 years. It is my home. I still cant beleive I wont be able to come in and have my locker, and see my girls, and go on stage and dance. I love the women. I love my boss. I love dancing. I am so heart broken. P
84
I've worked at the LL for nearly 10 years. Thank you all for your supportive comments. It is a truly unique place and I for one am heartbroken at my impending loss. I encourage everyone to come out and show your support in the next couple months. If you've never been, now is the time to go! And look forward to our final days in June, we will be throwing and epic celebration.
85
So sad !!! It would be cool if a coffee table book of the creative marque posts would be published. I'd buy at least 10. Project anyone ?
86
One of the last remaining business that contributed to the character of the Seattle I grew up in. Sad to see it go.
87
If you're going to miss the Lusty (I will, and so will my girlfriend "Clover" who works there), become a fan of the Facebook page: "We Will Miss the Lusty Lady."
88
@15, yeah but you can't pull it out and stroke it. Thanks Lusty Ladies for all the fun and fulfilled fantasies.
89
Thank you #38! Veni Vidi Veni is one I'll remember to my grave. I'm a girl and have never been interested in going in there, but I'm so depressed they're closing. Back when I lived in Belltown, and walked to Pioneer Square for work, I also loved them because I could walk under the marquee and get out of the rain for a few seconds. Well, they say every good-bye is a reminder of death!
90
so so sad, the Lusty is one of my favorite things about living in Seattle besides the Wildrose.
91
I have worked there off and on for almost 20 years. The LL is and has been so much more than a job. It will always be family, friends, fun, and more so much more, all rolled into one.
To The Lusty Lady; I'll see you again before the end, old friend!
92
I've truly been touched over the years by The Lusty Lady. I've brought dozens of people from all over North America into those hallways as personal guests. I've seen some amazing things there that could never be recreated in a Starbucks cafe. I've known both values of a quarter; in hand, it's worth a kinky suspension of time in blissful perversion. Drop that same quarter on the floor and it's not worth bending over to pick up out of a puddle of man. The Lusty Lady was Seattle's dirty little secret and without it, we will suffer.
93
'I have worked there off and on for almost 20 years"

Part of the low-hanging, flapper's hour?
94
@93 Sure, because 38-year-olds are so horrifically saggy. What a jackass.
96
@93 you sad dried up human being. how dare you talk about people that way. what's so great about you?
97
@64 - I like your comment about women being an object of male attention being key to the survival of the species and lovely. I agree, but my point was the whole money changing hands thing. Society still gives women the opportunity to express themselves sexually first and foremost. That's why I'm ambivalent. Yeah, it's more empowering than a male-owned strip club, but is it really empowering in the way everyone seems to believe?

@65 - I'm fine with sexuality thanks, but sort of like my response to @64, I just don't know that guys having the outlet of whacking off in a booth in semi-public semi-privacy is something to be celebrated, you know what I mean? There's still an element of shame inherent in that, whereas you go to a Portland strip club, and there's none of that. In fact, I'd argue Portland's got it nailed, dead to rights. Strip clubs are no big thing, the dancers can hang out with the clients with zero pressure (still can't believe it).

And @66 - chill out. I didn't say "I'm glad it's closing." I didn't say "Ban peep shows!" I didn't say "It's wrong." I just said - I'm not sure we should idealize the place. Also, I have no respect for people who tout some ideology as the definitive answer on a topic. I don't need fourth wave feminism to help me think.
98
Seattle strip clubs do NOT allow alcohol. I like my sex sober, my strip club ventures drunk.

It's the only way to convince myself of the fantasy ...
99
A view from the future:

marqee side 1:
"hard up, the Lusty Lady goes down"
side two:
"Breast example of bad economy: lusty lady goes bust"
100
Going to miss this place. Hopefully someone will step in and help.
101
It has been there longer than any of those uppity places. It is a shame.I guess adult entertain is a crime.
102
I'll never forget the year I worked at the Lusty Lady. I'll never forget the women who were there for me when I needed a boast and helped show me that I was a beautiful and strong person. The end of the Lusty Lady is a sad end, one to be mourned, not celebrated. It was original and unique, with it's ever changing, witty marque and it's variety of beautiful women from all walks of life. It was the best job I ever had.
103
THE MANAGEMENT WAS THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN THE DEMISE OF "THE LUSTY LADY" I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE LL FOR 20 YEARS. THE LL HAS BEEN A PART OF SEATTLE HISTORY. IT WOULD STILL BE THERE IF THE GIRLS WORKING THERE WEREN'T AT LEAST 8 YEARS OF THAT HISTORY. THEIR DOWNFALL WAS THAT THEY COULDN'T GET RID OF THE OLD ASS TIRED GIRLS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOREVER! THE IDIOTS RUNNING IT HAD BEEN THERE FOREVER TOO, THATS THE REASON FOR THE BAD BUISINESS CALL. KNOW WHEN TO PUT THE COWS OUT OF PASTURE! YOU FUCKED IT UP YOURSELF! IT'S A BUISINESS, TREAT IT AS SUCH. WE GOT TIRED OF OLD ASS UGLY REJECTS FROM THE RODNEY MORE 90' FILMS. TELL THOSE BITCHES THAT THEY CAN GET SOCIAL SECURITY.
ITS YOUR FAULT THAT I STOPPED GOING TO THE LL. I USED TO LIVE IN RENTON AND DRIVE ALL THE FUCKING WAY DOWNTOWN TO SEE SOME TEEN PUSSY. IN 2008-2010 OVER THIRTY SKANKFEST OF PREGGOS AND HAIRY BITCHES. REALLY? YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD CONTINUE? SHOULD HAVE ASKED THE CUSTOMERS YOU FUCKING IDIOTS. IF THE GIRLS ARE BELOW AVERAGE, EXPECT BELOW AVERAGE SALES FOR THE DAY YOU FUCKS. WHOEVER STARTED THIS BUISINESS IS TURNING IN THEIR GRAVE BEACUSE YOU ARE SO STUPID, I WAS A CUSTOMER FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS AND STOPPED GOING BECAUSE THEY LET THE QUALITY AND REPUTATION GO TO SHIT. THE LL WILL BE MISSED, BUT HAS BEEN A JOKE SINCE 2000.
104
A deep hearted thanks to those who fought to save this building and those who have aspirations of new life in this historic building. This one won't fall to the wreaking ball and we thank those that saved it!!!!
105
this breaks my heart. not many of the current lusties would know who i am but back in the (pre-union) late 80's i was an assistant show director (the only male ever to hold that position) and then i was the first ever marketing manager. i created the "have an erotic day" happy face logo and in this job as marketing manager, to get more folks into the place, created a series of special event weeks: Lust in Space Week, Women in Prison Week, Naughty Nurses Week, Tuts and Asp Week (Egyptian theme), Peeping Tom Week (where we covered some of the windows leaving just a small peep hole) etc etc. myself along with other managers Christopher Beamish (general mgr), kate proper (show director) created the Private Pleasures booth. my most profound memory from my few years there was spending the giant '89 san francisco earthquake in the dressing room with a few naked dancers and trying to get the dancers onstage offstage as it was floor to ceiling mirrors and all i could think of was "oh god it's a giant slice and dicer", all in pitch blackness because all of our backstage and downstairs emergency lighting didn't work. it took us all 15 minutes to get upstairs and outside into the street because i had to scrounge birthday candles out of our office to light the way for all the girls to get into their lockers to get dressed all while waiting for the aftershocks to bring the building down around our ears. terrifying. once out in the street (Kearny Street... the famous Street on a hill where Sharon Stones character lived in Basic Instinct) it was flooded with people going all the way down to the transamerica pyramid. i was so giddy when we finally got out i yelled in a very loud voice "PEOPLE OF EARTH... THIS IS JUST A SMALL SAMPLE OF OUR POWER!!!"
i watched a wave of laughter ripple it's way down the hill, everyone giddy and relieved they were alive. other random memories... going to las vegas numerous times during the consumer electronics show to court and convince famous pornstars to come and star in our private pleasures booth. coming in in the morning with a handfull of lattes and muffins to be greeted by some fresh, cute young dancer in the lounge area pulling her pants down, innocently excited to show me her "cool new piercing" she got the night before. getting to sit around making stage props for my theme shows. the huge nurses protest of our Naughty Nurses Week in front of our Seattle theatre on first ave., which after the media caught hold of it, drove record numbers into the theatre to make it the most successful of all the theme weeks. "talking to betty" in the janitor's closet (a code phrase for getting high on weed). Taking both Nina Hartley and Victoria Paris to do naked radio interviews (yes i said naked radio interviews). playdays. the 3 mild soft core girl on girl video films i shot for the theatre, "Blue's Dream," "Ouch" (an s&m feature, set in an actual s&m dungeon) and for the life of me I can't remember the title of the 3rd which was shot in a hotel room filled with my friend Ken Korpi's gargoyle sculptures. Along with Kurt the crazy Janitor, Dave the crazy technician, Tim the crazy cashier/author, Sandra Andreassen who became an almost lifelong friend and with Darrel Davis & June Cade at the helm this was a wonderful, crazy, sexy 3 years of my life i'll treasure always. the one thing i won't miss is the the crackle of the p.a. system when a booth got too messy and we heard "CODE WHITE" throughout the theatre. it always made me queasy. Goodbye Lusty Lady R.I.P.

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