People from around the globe are aware of the brothels and the legal
prostitution that is operated like any other business is operated. And many
people are curious about the work that is often referred to as the oldest
profession.
And in true Nevada fashion, only here can you have a mix of movers and shakers
from the community mingling with patrons and prostitutes of a brothel and come
up with the social event of the moment.
Last week that's exactly what happened when Hof and the Dayton Area Chamber of
Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the brothel to celebrate the $50,000
facelift that Hof gave the aging house of prostitution.
The old gal has a new façade with a more welcoming presence for customers and
curious passers-by.
The 1880s look gained the approval of county officials to whom Hof took his
request for a building permit almost a year ago. Hof decided it was time to
dress up the brothel and give it the character of the Victorian era that forged
so much of the Comstock area's historical ambiance.
Community reaction
"It was nice to see how clean and neat the place was kept. I think the girls
are looking forward to the new facilities, and I wish Dennis the best in his
business," said Ann Steinberg, a long-time Chamber of Commerce member.
Steinberg said the girls were nice and friendly and took us on a tour that
allowed us to see more than we could normally see if we stopped by to visit the
brothel.
Dayton resident Dorothy Wingard also had a good time.
"What a blast. To us it was a unique experience. We got to go inside and take a
tour of the brothel. It was really a lot of fun and you saw your friends and
neighbors there."
The BunnyRanch is actually made up of a number of structures including a
modular housing unit from the 1960 Olympics staged at Squaw Valley, all
interconnected to create a business that thrives as much today as it did back
in 1955 when the ranch opened its doors.
The ranch operated without regulation until Nevada legislators passed a law in
1971 regulating houses of prostitution.
Hof purchased the ranch 15 years ago and has done a lot to make the property an
international attraction. Now, the BunnyRanch boasts 35 rooms, 500 independent
contractor prostitutes and about 40 hourly employees.
The property where the BunnyRanch sits was once a Pony Express stop during the
area's early years. An historical marker is on the property denoting the spot
as a stop along the original Pony Express Trail that runs through Mound House.
Interior decor
The rooms range in décor and reflect much of the prostitute's personality,
Steinberg said, noting that there is even a Japanese bathhouse for patrons. The
property features crystal chandeliers, lots of red velvet, faux jungle cat
rugs, and yes, the ladies line up for customers just like in the movies.
Hoff said that when he bought the ranch, he opened the door to the media to
show the world that this is the right thing to do.
"I'm the Boy Scout of the sex industry - I'm a businessman who's here to do
what's right and invest my money back into Mound House," he said.
Hoff noted that they are in their fifth year of shooting the HBO documentary
series, "Cathouse."
Nevada state law allows for any county with a population of less than 400,000
to license brothels if the county chooses. Some counties have made brothels
illegal, as have several municipalities.
Eleven counties in Nevada permit licensed brothels in certain specified areas
including Lyon County's Mound House area.
As a regulated, licensed business, Hoff said his brothels are the largest
taxpayers in Lyon County -- the brothels' taxes are in excess of $300,000
annually.
He said he was pleased that so many people went away from the celebration
realizing that brothels are the way that the industry should be run.
(It's) "not like Las Vegas with more than 3,000 pimps working the street
corners," he said.
Reno Gazette-Journal
