A controversial restaurant named "Show-Me's" has been causing quite a stir in our family-friendly Naperville. With a proposed site at 1126 E. Ogden–two doors down from the Chuck E. Cheese's–local residents fear that the restaurant will mar the kid-friendly and family-oriented atmosphere of our city. Last Friday, a group of approximately 30 people–mostly minors–demonstrated in front of the site on Ogden avenue, shouting "Stop the show!" and "Don't show me!" into traffic and brandishing signs.
Not only parents are heated up about the establishment, 14-year old Emma Sliwinski told the Sun-Times "I don't want to see this godforsaken place loaded with drunks, drug addicts and strippers." Emma's mother, Joyce Sliwinski, added her name to an expanding petition against the restaurant, saying "We don't want this to open here. It's not what we want our corridor to Naperville to be."
A Show-Me's representative, who declined to comment, said the restaurant chain's President Ron Cote is keeping quiet so as to not interfere with the city's licensing process. They believe that many people in Naperville have the wrong idea about the restaurant.
The website for Show-Me's describes the restaurant chain as "an all around casual atmosphere...committed to providing our customers with a distinctive dining experience in a fun, relaxed environment delivered by attractive, model-quality Show-Me's servers." The waitresses are featured in skin-tight, mini spandex shorts and low cut, tank tops. The walls of the establishment also feature photos of Show-Me's girls who have moved onto careers in modeling and acting, along with sports memorabilia and TVs. According to the website, approximately 60-70% of Show-Me's waitresses are college students. 70-80% are former cheerleaders, dancers, athletes, and aspiring models. Most of the girls move on from their Show-Me's waitress positions to achieve greater career goals, and the website brags that "success for a Show-Me's Girl is far greater than what they are today but, rather, what we hope to foster in them for all their tomorrows." Despite the positive message, Naperville families fear the risque setting the eatery would bring to Naperville.
A Missouri-based chain, the name "Show-Me's" was adopted from the Missouri's nickname as the "Show-Me State," rather than what the waitresses may or may not be showing. With a total of 15 locations–including three in Illinois–the chain is pretty used to the controversy. Earlier this year, a Show-Me's in Bloomington was placed on probation and fined after being cited for several liquor code violations. Also, the Marion County, Indiana Alcohol Beverage Board denied an Indianapolis Show-Me's a liquor license as a result of local petitions, opposing the restaurant and the servers' uniforms.
Naperville Mayor George Pradel is the liquor commissioner who will ultimately make a decision regarding the restaurant's liquor license. As opposed to local parents, Pradel does not see the restaurant to posit such a threat to the city's image or atmosphere. Pradel visited the Show-Me's location in Springfield and "thought it was a regular restaurant as far as I was concerned," and that the waitresses' uniforms "were tastefully done." He urges Napervillians to view the restaurant as a legitimate business instead of an establishment that would demoralize and ruin the area. If the restaurant meets all requirements, Pradel says "it's hard to say no."
Beyond the restaurant itself, Naperville residents are also bothered by a website that features the Show-Me's waitresses. This website is independent of the restaurant chain, and offers memberships to view "exclusive members-only access to your favorite Show-Me's Girls."
Got something to say? Mayor Pradel wants to hear it. He says, "I feel we should have the chance for the liquor commission to sit there and listen. It's not going to be an arguments time. Just pure listening." An open forum will be held during a Naperville Liquor Commission meeting this Thursday, November 4th, at 3:00 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room in the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle.
Comments
Great to see you posting entries again! Keep up the great work!
I am glad you have information from both sides. Personally, I don't want to see Show-Me in Naperville. It doesn't match the image of this unique community.
unique community? It has every chain in the world, along with every strip mall sprawl that has been conceived in a city planner's lab. Isn't there a Hooters down the road? Isn't there a Lover's Lane porn store on Ogden right across from a huge apt complex? Ahh the bourgeoisie...
Quoting a 14 year old regarding the placement of a restaurant? That's journalism. I wonder what her dog thinks of it...
Beyond that this is an establishment with the waitresses wearing more than what you can see at a beach or on prime time network television. I don't see any issue with this.
If you don't like it, don't go there. Let the market decide if it belongs.
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