Fact Check: No evidence of Proposed Strip Club in Spindale

An anonymous social media post asking whether people would support a strip club in Spindale has generated discussion online with over 450 comments as of press time, but there is no evidence that a strip club is being proposed, permitted or planned in the town.

The Facebook post, which appeared anonymously, appeared to gauge public interest in the idea. The post did not identify a business owner, investor, location or development plan.

A review of publicly available information found no official business announcements or town records indicating that a sexually oriented business is seeking to locate in Spindale.

As of July 30, WCAB News has not received any official business announcements related to the post.

Anonymous social media posts are not official announcements

Anonymous posts on Facebook and other social media platforms can quickly spread speculation, but they do not establish that a project is real.

Businesses typically announce new locations through public filings, lease agreements, permit applications, alcohol licensing, planning board reviews or direct statements from owners. None of those have surfaced in connection with the Facebook post.

State lawmakers are debating new regulations

Although there is no confirmed proposal for Spindale, North Carolina lawmakers are considering new legislation that would affect sexually oriented businesses serving alcohol.

House Bill 1121, titled "Added Fee for Sexually Oriented Businesses," would require sexually oriented businesses with alcohol permits to pay a $10 fee for each customer entry. Businesses could absorb the fee themselves or pass it on to customers.

Revenue would be directed to the state's Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund, administered by the North Carolina Council for Women to support victim services.

The bipartisan bill passed the House committee review and, as of June 30, was re-referred to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee, where it remains under consideration.

Constitutional questions raised

The proposed legislation has prompted debate over whether the fee would withstand constitutional scrutiny.

Supporters argue the legislation addresses the secondary effects associated with sexually oriented businesses that serve alcohol, rather than regulating protected expression.

Opponents, including the ACLU of North Carolina, argue the measure could violate the First Amendment because it imposes a financial burden based on expressive activity. During committee debate, legislative staff noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized nude dancing as expressive conduct entitled to some First Amendment protection, making outright bans legally difficult.

If enacted, the legislation would take effect Oct. 1, 2026.

What's next

At this time, claims that a strip club is coming to Spindale are unsupported by publicly available evidence.