Larry Flynt s brief time in Columbus 40 years ago left lifelong memories with those who remember him.
His Hustler Club and later Downtown publishing offices on Gay Street just west of High Street may have later become the butt of jokes, but at the time, the club at 40 W. Gay St. was one of the only swanky after-hours haunts Downtown. After work, we d stumble into the club. It kind of became an after-work hangout, recalled James Immke, then in his early 20s, whose father, Leonard, owned Len Immke Buick-Opel-Rolls Royce car dealership at Fifth and Broad streets.
The club, with stripper poles and gaudy decor, was one of several he opened in Ohio and other states. Each table had sets of small drum sticks, made to play your glasses, recalled Immke, now 66 and living in Florida.