10:06 AM CDT on Friday, July 7, 2006

Watch News 4 coverage

Poll: Is Hooters good or bad for community image?

KMOV

(KMOV) - There are currently five Hooters restaurants operating in the St. Louis area.

Now, Hooters is another step closer to opening its sixth restaurant in the area, but they're fighting a vocal group of opponents in Florissant.

The waitresses, known as “Hooters girls” are known for their bright orange shorts and tank tops, which has been the standard uniform since Hooters opened in Florida over 20 years ago.

KMOV

Thursday, the Florissant planning and zoning commission voted 5-1 to permit Hooters to convert a former Mexican restaurant into a Hooters.

Florissant's planning and zoning commission approved the plan, but it only looks at issues like parking and building standards, which has outraged some critics.

The property backs up to a middle school and now some residents say they will take their concerns to the Florissant City Council.

The Florissant City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the issue at a July 24 meeting.

We feel we cannot give an accurate comment regarding this subject..

This is sexual exploitation of women, pure and simple. These types of establishments do nothing positive for a community. They undermine morality and family values and are most definitely a negative influence.

THey should consider PLus Size girls

I have nothing against Hooters opening a restaurant in Florissant. I do however have a problem with Geri Debo and her personal need to attain her fifteen minutes of fame! GERI DEBO needs to concentrate her energy for her WARD 4 constituants. She is never heard from in WARD 4 until her term is up for re-election. I am very sad and embarrassed that GERI DEBO is my council woman. SHAME ON YOU GERI DEBO!

yes, yes, yes!! Florissant is now coming into the 21st century. Will Shandy Fennissey be a Hooters girl?!!!

Geri Debo just likes controversy.

I believe that opening a Hooters in Florissant is not a bad idea. I understand most peoples view on the way they are going to be dressed but you see a lot worse on the tv, the mall or even a grocery store. I say if you are so worried about what your children are going to see there then don't take them there. In fact, you better keep them in the house because you do see a lot worse in the world.

Hooters is a nationwide chain. They are located in other "family-friendly" areas of St. Louis including St. Peters and Fairview Heights, IL. They have great food and are as innocent as any other chain restaurant/bar. Heck, just a few years ago, there was a bar called Cindy's Zoo next to Kmart within walking distance of the new Hooter's location where the barmaids were exposing themselves all in the same city of Flo-Mo and within the same vicinity of the same school. There are worse businesses!

The food is bad and high priced. Only one reason to go there, Boobs!

If Hooters wanted to portray themselves as a great family restaurant then they would not put so much emphasis on the pretty young waitresses in skintight shorts and shirts. If this is such a great place for the family why do they themselves put such an emphasis in their advertising on the girls? And yes I oppose Hooters and yes we also do not patronize them- there are plenty of other fine restaurants out there that do not find it necessary to draw customers in with how their waitresses dress.

Is Hooters good or bad for community image?