On Monday night, sometime after 5pm, the first bra hit the floor at Jay Jay's.  It was likely met with howls of approval from patrons inside the controversial Gentleman's Club on Lake Shore Blvd., just east of Islington.  Outside the venue, however, residents were filling the evening air with their own vocal declarations, ones precipitated not by titillation, but by collective outrage and disapproval that such a venue is operating in the neighbourhood they call home. 

The spirited rally coincided with the club's official opening Monday night, and although the venue, owned by Jack Cohen, is legally licensed to operate in the area, residents are hoping their collective voice can spark the closing of the establishment. 

They've set up a website protesting the club and have handed out hundreds of flyers in the area, but at this point there is nothing they can legally do to stop Jay Jay's from opening.  That doesn't mean they're not going to try.

"We have enough problems in this area now with street walkers, drug addicts," admits business owner Everett Sheppard.  "I own a bar also on the Lakeshore, and we're trying to clean the area up, and I think this is going to make it a lot worse."

"I think it's a big mistake, especially this area, to have, you know, seniors right over here next door. You have shopkeepers there. It's just the wrong area," adds resident Bob Kozak.

There are two schools within walking distance of the club. One of them is an elementary school with a daycare. Seventh Street Junior School caters to children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5.

Jack Cohen insists that the establishment will be an upscale one.  He's owned the property on and off for 27 years, and it's hosted exotic dancers in the past.

"We're going to try to capitalize on a niche that nobody has, you know?"

" All I want is to run a gentleman's club... Give me a chance. That's what I'm saying."

Tim Lambrinos, Executive Director of the Adult Entertainment Association of Canada, defended his right to operate in the area.

"They haven't given Mr. Jack Cohen a chance yet," he argues.  "He hasn't even opened up his club yet and all of a sudden they're talking about drunkenness and other nuisances as well...What we are suggesting what we can do along with the councillor in the area, is to work on preventive measures to make sure there are not nuisances being inflicted on the area residents."

Councillor Mark Grimes sympathizes with residents, but admits there's not much that can be done.

"I hope this isn't going to last very long...(it's) just something we don't want in the neighbourhood," he admits.

"(But) I will say again it is a licence issued by the city of Toronto. They are legal. It's not that they're doing something illegal."