75 Jumpin Jupiter Comments: Condensed Version

On Dec. 28 Jumpin Jupiter owner Jim Callahan showed the Maplewood city clerk a letter proving he had paid the business's state taxes, which allowed his previously revoked business license to be reinstated.

An article in Patch on Dec. 29 that reported the Jumpin Jupiter's doors are open again has to this date generated more than 75 comments. Three commenters have supported the business and more than six have criticized it.

One reader told the Patch editor that he spent an hour reading them all.

Following are bullet points of some of the arguments grouped by commenter. Yes, it removes the context of the conversation, but you won't spend an hour reading it.

Jumpin Jupiter supporters

Burlesque Mom

• My daughter has never had a single complaint about working there. Jim and the rest of the management have treated her with the utmost respect, she loves going to work there and she has ALWAYS been paid on time.
• Jupiter is not "Bourbon Street" they have a mixture of performances including bands and other things and yes Burlesque which is an ART FORM, they aren't strippers and it isn't an affront to the community.
• Regardless they (have) two very different shows that everyone loves, they have had some snafoos but many newer businesses do they just don't often have someone trying to attack them and air their "growing pains" to the whole world as a personal attack.
• Oh and go ahead and search Jumpin Jupiter on Riverfront Times, or Speakeasy Cinema (the Friday show name) or just USO. Not only will you find pictures of the new show that is fantastic but you will also see information about how Friday's show went to benefit the USO of Missouri.
• That zoning law would be appropriate (if) it were it some trashy place like Roxy's but that is NOT what it is and anyone who thinks of them similarly clearly has ZERO culture.
• I don't care if anyone BELIEVES I am anyone's mother, come to the show Friday and I will gladly introduce myself and my daughter.

Mr. Completely

• If you live "around the corner from JJ" you also live around the corner from 2 pawn shops, a 24 hour dinner, grocery store, pizza carry out, brewery, on and on. Sounds like you made a poor choice when you decided to move to that area.
• A business does not need your approval Jh, to be in business. You act as though the code in Maplewood says you and everyone else "around the corner" needs to approve of JJ if they are to be allowed to locate where they are. Wrong.

Thomas Gibson

• If yu do not want to see foxy women dancing, do not go. But allow us that want to to go to a very good safe place. By the way, the owner is a great guy and will treat you right.
• I live in Brentwood so I do not see the stuff going on there all the time. I just know when I have been there nothing like that is happening.

Jumpin Jupiter critics

William

• You guys behave more like a hornet's nest rather than as a welcoming member of the community. Quit buzzing and stinging so much and maybe folks will feel more comfortable about having you in the neighborhood.
• Probably not necessary to point out that businesses defined as sexually-oriented aren't permitted operate in the Community Business District 1 zone where JJ is currently located...
• So if there are pasties or wet t-shirts at the JJ, the definition of Adult Cabaret is going to apply. And if it's an Adult Cabaret, then it's subject to zoning regulations applicable to "sexually-oriented business," including specific zoning requirements. Follow me? So, for the sake of discussion, does your daughter or any of her colleagues ever dance in pasties?
• The revocation process is complaint-driven. The more sand JuJo throws and the more insults they hurl makes it all the more likely that somebody in the community is going to start that process (if they haven't already).

Jh

• "Bourbon Street" is a fun place to visit, but not a great place to raise a family.
• it is that kind of I dunno, I guess disrespect maybe, thats off putting. Seriously what does it take to be a good neighbor? And why act like a victim when you get called on the carpet for not being a good neighbor?
• By your (Mr. Completely's) estimation, if Jims Mom was running a straight up brothel at the corner of Manchester and Sutton, but was quiet as a mouse and made no waves, I should be content with that. I guess that's one way to think about the place that one lives, but in the long run I think it makes for a worse place to live.

Hortence Jones

• I can speak from experience there were at least 3 bounced checks and ONE failed and disregarded payment to VEP (Van Ella Productions) which was literally used as blackmail, and in total over 20 bounced checks to individual performers all within a few months...40k in back rent generates an EVICTION NOTICE by the landlord - which is 'worked out', then 3 instances of unpaid sales taxes. Sounds like news to me!

Maplewood Mom

• I am the mother of an 8 year old girl. The last thing I need her to see is a group of women on the street in fishnets and cropped tops. I am perfectly aware of the age we live in, but there is no reason for this kind of display. Sexuality is thrown at our children constantly. They are obviously going to be exposed to many things in their lifetime, but I don't see the need to throw it in their faces at a young age.
• While it is great that JJ has held a wonderful charitable event, you can't argue the fact that they also have had a lot of problems. Not paying taxes, not paying performers, operating illegally without a license. I think the residents of Maplewood are entitled to this info. I hope they can pull it together and be successful.

Bart Karnowsk

• JJ has had numerous issues, such as the dancers on the sidewalk, and those girls making out in the tub. Yeah, they may host a charity event now and then, but that is far and away outweighed by the shotty way the business is run and represented.

Lincoln Douglas

• Is Patch really the cause of the JJ's troubles? Really?? If Mr. Callahan had taken care of business in the first place (i.e., paid his taxes just like everyone else), his now legendary quotes would have never seen print, and he never would have appeared on reporters' radar.
• If burlesque is performed as commonly understood (i.e., dancing and stripping down to panties and pasties), then the JJ is an adult cabaret and likely subject to the applicable zoning. Sec 4.84 states that such a business must be in an HM zone. It's moot though since the city is taking a laissez-faire attitude toward enforcement.

Jennifer S.

• I am all for burlesque, expressing yourself through dance etc. - but I do not think Maplewood is the place where this type of business should exist. They should move to Washington downtown or over to the east side. I love Maplewood - have lived here for over 12 years and this type of business does not fit in our town.

More on Jumpin Jupiter in Patch:

• , June 19
• , June 27
• , July 3
• Jumpin' Jupiter Accused of Sales Tax Non-Payment, Nov. 26
• Owner is a No Show at Jumpin' Jupiter License Revocation Hearing, Nov. 27
• , Nov. 30
• Jumpin Jupiter Patrons Leave When Maplewood Police Arrive Sunday Night, Dec. 17