The Love Library, an adult retail store on Shorter Avenue, was shut down Thursday after authorities seized its merchandise as part of an ongoing civil dispute. The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office assisted in retrieving the store’s inventory, which officials say will be sold on the courthouse steps in the near future, according to Chief Deputy Bob Couey.
The closure stems from a legal judgment currently before Floyd County Superior Court. Store owner Charles Craton said that the dispute does not involve The Love Library or its parent company, Romeathon Investments, LLC. Instead, the judgment being enforced was issued against a completely separate online business that once used a portion of the warehouse space behind the building. That company shut down years ago, and its inventory was liquidated at that time.
Craton emphasized that The Love Library operates independently and that the merchandise removed Thursday belongs to Romeathon Investments, which is not a party to the lawsuit. Craton said their attorney filed an emergency motion in Superior Court seeking intervention and that, because the matter is now active litigation, he will not publicly debate the case or criticize anyone involved.
Craton also addressed concerns about employees, saying every staff member will continue to be paid throughout the temporary closure. He noted that his workers did not create the situation and should not suffer financially because of it.
He added that the business hopes for a quick resolution and to reopen soon, expressing appreciation for the customers and community members who have already reached out with support. For now, he said, the company will rely on its attorney and allow the legal process to move forward.
