"This has crossed the line:" Two Walworth County mothers take issue with racy strip club billboard ad



WALWORTH COUNTY (WITI) -- A billboard along I-43 is raising eyebrows -- and also concerns about decency. Two local mom s are challenging the owners of a strip club after a provocative ad popped up in Walworth County.

As a professional photographer, Dorene Muenkel is used to looking through her lens at a wide variety of poses, but there's one image she wishes was never captured on film.

"This has crossed the line and I think it needs to come down," Muenkel said.

Muenkel says the billboard went up earlier this month along I-43 near East Troy.

"It's just very provocative.  It's a woman dressed in a negligee and there's a pole there," Muenkel said.

It's a new ad for the strip club "Show Palace" in Darien, and it's something Muenkel and her young daughters have to drive past every day.

"I don't want them to see it.  If parents want to, that's up to them but that's not how we run our family," Muenkel said.

Muenkel and her friend, Lisa Stoll have contacted Governor Walker's office and the Wisconsin DOT. The response they got back?

"Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do.  We only regulate the sign as to size and lighting," Stoll said.

That wasn't what these moms wanted to hear.

A spokesperson for "Show Palace" released this statement -- saying it is in compliance with local ordinances.

"Show Palace Gentleman's Club respects the public and never tries to offend anybody. By the nature of the business, we realize we can't please everybody. We pride ourselves on classy advertising and classy entertainment. We apologize to these two women who have made this complaint."

Meanwhile, Muenkel and Stoll say they plan to keep fighting, not only for their daughters' sake, but also, for decency.

"It will be down. It's just a matter of when," Muenkel said.

For its part, the spokesperson for "Show Palace" says the business is active in community affairs, like cracking down on drinking and driving.

The club's spokesperson says it has not heard of any other complaints.