PROTESTERS TARGET CITY'S NEW STRIP BAR

Amid the threat of protest, dancers and other people working for Regina's House of Dolls strip bar calmly went about the business of opening their doors to Cape Girardeau patrons Friday night.

The protest came at about 8:15 p.m. -- some time after the place had opened -- when Donna Miller, president of the Cape Girardeau County American Family Association, arrived outside the club with two men. All three carried cardboard signs protesting the strip bar.

Tyra Gonzalez, one of 12 Regina's dancers, said she is used to protests. "I saw protesters when I was hired to help open up a club in The Lake of the Ozarks," Gonzalez said. "They were there with signs almost every night for four months before they finally gave up."

"I'm just exercising my First Amendment right," Miller said. Asked why there was no protest of the Alibi Club, which also features dancers who strip, Miller replied, "I can only be at one place at a time."

Miller said that after she is satisfied Regina's is no longer in operation, she will go to the Alibi Club and protest. She said she plans to continue protesting, but would not say how many nights she would spend holding signs outside of the club.

"The reason we chose this place to protest first is because it's new," she said. "The other place is local and has already been established. We planned to protest this club long before the Alibi Club advertised for dancers."

Miller said she first noticed the Alibi Club's marquee advertisement for dancers "about eight or nine days ago."

Miller said she planned to stay outside of Regina's House of Dolls until midnight Friday. "It's cold out here, but we're not leaving," she said.

Miller said there are already plans being made to discuss options for regulating live performances involving nudity or semi-nudity. The item is on the agenda for Monday's Cape Girardeau City Council meeting.

"Show up for the council meeting and you'll find out what can be done to stop places like these," Miller said.

Heather Burns, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, said she wasn't worried about local protesters. "It's not going to keep us from doing our jobs," she said. Burns also dances in clubs in East St. Louis.

Said one dancer: "If women would spend more time at home making themselves look good, they wouldn't have to worry about their man coming here. Anybody who protests what we're doing here is insecure about themselves."

A sparse gathering was on hand during the first few hours of the club's first night. Cars continually drove by the club but many did not stop.

Regina's House of Dolls regional manager Terry Eubanks said he met with Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard "Butch" Boyd Jr. and Missouri Liquor Control to make sure he was complying with state law.

"We talked about how customers could tip the dancers," Eubanks said. "As long as customers put the money in the garter they're wearing on their leg or by a strap on their hip, it's OK."

Said Eubanks: "About the only problem we've had so far is finding pasties. You just can't find any in this area."

Eubanks said dancers from Paducah, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., were brought to Regina's in Cape Girardeau to work opening night and the better part of the first month.

"We've also hired two dancers from the area," Eubanks said.

Club rules are posted on a cardboard sign in the lobby:

1. Must be 21 years of age with an ID.

2. No motorcycle or gang colors.

3. No shirt, no shoes? No way!

4. No unescorted females.

5. No weapons or drugs.

6. We neither promote nor allow our employees to leave with customers.