5 Shocking Revelations About Deja Vu Showgirls Spokane: From Strip Club To Sacred Space
The story of Deja Vu Showgirls in Spokane Valley is not just about a strip club; it’s a narrative of dramatic transformation, controversy, and a building’s shocking rebirth. As of December 2025, the iconic venue is no longer operating as an adult entertainment establishment, having undergone a profound and unexpected change that has captured the attention of the entire Spokane community. This article dives deep into the venue's decades-long history, the business practices that drew scrutiny, and the incredible new purpose it now serves.
This information is fresh and current, reflecting the latest developments surrounding the property’s sale and repurposing, which occurred in late 2024 and early 2025. The former site of one of Spokane's most famous adult theaters is now dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking, marking a complete 180-degree turn in its mission and public image. The removal of the iconic sign symbolized the end of an era and the beginning of a new, sacred chapter for the historic building.
The Dishman Theater's Controversial History and Profile
The building that housed Deja Vu Showgirls for years has a rich, complex, and controversial profile that stretches back nearly a century. Its history is a fascinating study in cultural shifts and urban development in the Spokane Valley area.
- Original Name: Dishman Theater
- Year Built: 1938
- Original Purpose: Built by A.T. Dishman as a family-friendly movie theater.
- First Transformation: Sold in the 1970s, at which point the new owners began showing X-rated films, transitioning the venue into an adult theater.
- Strip Club Era: Eventually became the location for Deja Vu Showgirls, a prominent fixture on Sprague Avenue.
- Corporate Parent: Part of the larger Déjà Vu company, founded by Harry Mohney, which opened its first club in Lake City, WA, in 1985 with partners Larry Flynt and Roger Forbes.
- Closure Date: Closed in May 2024, according to some reports, with the sign being removed shortly after.
- New Identity: Reborn as a religious organization dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking.
The building, located in Spokane Valley, has been a cultural landmark, evolving from a community cinema to a source of adult entertainment, reflecting the changing moral and commercial landscape of the region. The recent closure and sale represent the most dramatic shift in its long history.
The Closure and The Controversial Business Model
The closure of Deja Vu Showgirls in Spokane was part of a larger conversation about the adult entertainment industry in Washington State. While the final sale marked the end, the club had previously been the subject of scrutiny regarding its operational practices.
The closure, which occurred in 2024, left many dancers seeking new employment, with many reportedly moving to venues across the state line. The event even spurred legislative action, with the Washington State Legislature considering an overhaul to the industry following the high-profile closure of the Spokane club. This legislative focus highlights the growing pressure and evolving regulations facing exotic dance venues.
One of the most controversial aspects of the club’s operation, common in the broader adult entertainment industry, was the alleged "predatory" conditions faced by dancers. Specifically, reports indicated that Spokane's Deja Vu allegedly demanded that dancers sell a specific number of drinks every night. If a dancer did not meet this quota, they were reportedly required to pay the difference to the club, a practice critics argue creates financial vulnerability for the performers.
Former employees, like Dionne Varney, who worked at the strip club for 14 years, expressed deep personal sadness upon hearing the news of the sign being taken down, underscoring the venue’s role as a long-term workplace and community for many.
From Smutty to Sacred: Deja Vu's New Life
The most compelling and recent development in the Deja Vu Showgirls saga is the building's dramatic rebirth. Following the sale and closure, the former strip club is being reborn as a religious organization with a powerful, redemptive mission.
This transformation is a profound example of repurposing a controversial space for a sacred cause. The new owners have taken over the gutted building and are dedicating the space to helping victims of human trafficking. This new purpose directly addresses one of the darker social issues often associated with the adult entertainment industry, turning a former site of exploitation into a center for healing and recovery.
The removal of the iconic Deja Vu Showgirls sign and the subsequent removal of the Dishman name from the tower signify a final and complete break from the building's past as both an adult theater and a strip club. The entire Spokane community is watching this transition, which moves the venue from a space dedicated to pleasure and profit to one focused on charity and spiritual aid.
The entities involved in this narrative—Spokane Valley, the Dishman Theater, the Deja Vu corporate entity, the Washington State Legislature, and the new religious organization—all intersect at this single, historic location. This unique pivot has cemented the building's place in local history, transforming its legacy from one of late-night entertainment to one of profound social impact and spiritual renewal. The contrast between the building's former life and its new mission as a sanctuary for those exploited is a narrative of redemption for the physical structure itself.
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