Controversial South Salem Strip Club Up For Sale

News that Frank Boussad is selling Presley’s Playhouse Cabaret before it even opens it’s doors has neighbors and businesses located near the club breathing a sigh of relief for now.

Photos by: Kevin Hays

(SALEM) - FOR SALE! Controversial strip club located in south Salem at the former Mike’s Steak & Seafood House, 3803 Commercial St. SE. Price $1.2 million.

Frank Boussad, who planned to open Presley’s Playhouse Cabaret which was to feature nude dancing, has decided to sell the property and the business.

Boussad faced overwhelming opposition to his club from nearby residents, business owners, and even the Salem City Council because the club would have been located near parks, churches, bus stops, and businesses that cater to children.

“This is great news, we have won round one” said Faye Wright Neighborhood Association Chairperson Julia Allison.

“Now we must continue the fight to keep these types of businesses out of residential neighborhoods” Allison added.

Earlier this month, the OLCC had approved Boussad’s liquor license application even though the city council had sent an unfavorable recommendation.

Boussad bought the restaurant and property for $550,000.

He wants 1.2 million for it now.

$700,000 for the property and $500,000 for the business.

The OLCC says the new owner will have to apply for a liquor license.

Allison, along with Salem realtor Midge Houck and former Republican State Party Chairman and Gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix have formed a Political Action Committee called Oregonians Protecting Neighborhoods.

The PAC has a ballot initiative petition going that would limit where strip clubs in Oregon can operate and do business.

Opponents of the club say that they are not pro-business, rather they are only looking at the club's existence as a question of morality.

Another key issue in the opponents fight to keep the club out of their neighborhood was limited parking on the property.

To try and solve the parking issues, city councilor T.J. Sullivan and the Salem Public Works Department are finalizing a plan to place Ewald Ave SE, and other neighborhood streets that surround the club’s property into a residential parking district meaning those parking on the street would have to have a permit to park.

If they don’t have a permit, they would be towed.

The plan is still moving forward despite the apparent sale.

Nearby businesses that fought so hard to keep the club from opening say they still worry that another buyer may still open the club.

Houck, who owns the property just north of the proposed club that includes the South Salem Immediate Care Clinic and Jackson Hewitt Tax Services says she still plans on installing a chain link fence around her properties to keep patrons of whoever buys the business away.