Man's Country, 5017 N. Clark St. in Chicago, has begun construction on a leather emporium, according to its owner.
Online reports Oct. 14 suggested that the establishment, the longest-standing bath house and sex club in Chicago, might have closed, after passersby spotted the windows boarded and construction materials in place. But Ron Ehemann, attorney to Chuck Renslow, Man's Country's owner, says it is still open.
"We're open for business as usual," said Ehemann. "Any of our members can come in and get any of the services that they are used to getting."
The club had not been expecting to announce the emporium just yet, but Renslow changed his mind once word had gotten out the Man's Country may have closed, according to Ehemann, who added that no opening date for the retail space had been set.
Uptown Update initially reported Oct. 14 that the space might be closed and noted that the Man's Country website was down; it was later updated to reflect news about the retail space.
Opened in 1973 and laid out over three floors, Man's Country features a video room, showroom and private rooms for members. Visitors pay a $10 lifetime membership, then individual entrance fees for each visit.
Uptown Update's article is at www.uptownupdate.com/2014/10/farewell-to-mans-country.html .