Both Strip Clubs in Columbus County Get Raided

The News Reporter It’s not so magic today for exotic and erotic dancers, and residents of the Delco community didn’t remain quiet about their relief after a raid Thursday evening by Sheriff Chris Batten and his staff that shut down two businesses along U.S. 74-76 – Magic Moments and Whispers Erotic Dancing. “We are working on civil actions to permanently close both of these businesses. Our raid Thursday was the right thing to do and the people down there appreciate it,” Batten declared. “We arrested six women on a variety of charges and we’re going after the owners of both of the businesses. We’re going to do whatever it takes to shut them down,” the sheriff added. The raid was set up after numerous complaints by residents and business owners in the eastern end of the county about the clubs’ operation. “I was getting three or four calls a day last week from people complaining, and now I’m getting the same number, but they’re congratulating us for what we did Thursday,” the sheriff said. Residents in the Delco community used lawn chairs to watch the raids Thursday, and others honked their horns and waved as they drove by the locations on the four-lane highway. Batten said he is continuing investigations against Don Mercer of Sneads Ferry, owner of the Magic Moments club, and the owner of Whispers, a business that was just opening when raided. The building housing the new club is a renovated laundry mat and is owned by G&M Investments of Wilmington.