Stripping down strip clubs

Yes, mom-and-pop places are suffering in today's economy -- but so are strip clubs! According to a story by former Denver Post writer Kris Hudson in today's Wall Street Journal, the country's two publicly traded strip-club chains have been hit hard by the recession, and are now "catering to a thriftier clientele."

One of those chains, VCG Holding Corp., is considering paring amenities at some of its clubs in Minneapolis; Portland, Oregon; St. Louis and Denver, where the company is based. Its clubs here include the Diamond Cabaret, La Boheme, Penthouse, PT's Appaloosa, PT's All Nude and PT's Showclub.

"There are not changes contemplated in our company," says VCG's Troy Lowrie. "That article lumped our name with a competitor's comments." And true, it's impossible to imagine Lowrie doing what that competitor, Rick's Cabaret International, has done with one of its Dallas clubs: turned it into an "all-nude, bring-own-beer venue."