Lilith
05-30-2003, 08:37 AM
submitted by dadaist
HELENDALE, Calif. (AP) - A museum dedicated to burlesque memorabilia is struggling financially after spending thousands of dollars to fix a string of code violations.
The Exotic World Museum of Burlesque and Striptease Hall of Fame features photographs, tattered gowns, faded G-strings and pasties from the golden age of burlesque, which was popular in American theater from the 1930s to the 1950s. The museum opened in 1991, but doesn't have a permit to operate, according
to San Bernardino County code enforcement officials. It also has been given notice of inadequate or hazardous wiring, substandard conditions and running an illegal mobile home park.
Exotic World can stay open as long as it gets a land-use permit, said Randy Rogers, code enforcement supervisor.
The museum has begun to fix the violations, but the costs have cut into profits, which were $12,000 last year. So far it has spent $10,000 to tear down two illegal trailers, fix the wiring, remove nearly nine tons of trash and apply for a conditional use permit.
The museum halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas gets about 15 visitors a day.
"This is going to cost everything I've got," said owner Charles Arroyo.
He's hoping to make about $4,000 in profits from the annual Striptease Reunion and Miss Exotic World Pageant scheduled for June 7. Even then, he said, "most of it is already burned up."
HELENDALE, Calif. (AP) - A museum dedicated to burlesque memorabilia is struggling financially after spending thousands of dollars to fix a string of code violations.
The Exotic World Museum of Burlesque and Striptease Hall of Fame features photographs, tattered gowns, faded G-strings and pasties from the golden age of burlesque, which was popular in American theater from the 1930s to the 1950s. The museum opened in 1991, but doesn't have a permit to operate, according
to San Bernardino County code enforcement officials. It also has been given notice of inadequate or hazardous wiring, substandard conditions and running an illegal mobile home park.
Exotic World can stay open as long as it gets a land-use permit, said Randy Rogers, code enforcement supervisor.
The museum has begun to fix the violations, but the costs have cut into profits, which were $12,000 last year. So far it has spent $10,000 to tear down two illegal trailers, fix the wiring, remove nearly nine tons of trash and apply for a conditional use permit.
The museum halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas gets about 15 visitors a day.
"This is going to cost everything I've got," said owner Charles Arroyo.
He's hoping to make about $4,000 in profits from the annual Striptease Reunion and Miss Exotic World Pageant scheduled for June 7. Even then, he said, "most of it is already burned up."