A strip club has been given approval to open in the Old Strathcona area.

On Aug. 2, the city of Edmonton granted a business license allowing the owners of X Bar to open in the former Rehab Nightclub, east of Calgary Trail and 81st Avenue.

Although Old Strathcona is home to many bars and restaurants, people who work nearby expressed ambivalence about the prospect of a strip club opening nearby.

"It may not effect us at all because we are closed by six, but generally speaking, the type of people that might bring into the neighbourhood might not be people that we want around," said Valerie Landals, manager of The Adventure Travel Company.

Landals' apprehension was shared by Lori Cuthill, who works at the Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services office a few doors down.

"I just think it would be inappropriate like to have that type of environment so close to the environment where we have kids and families coming in here ... for community resources," Cuthill said.

But Jake Raynard, the owner of the Cha Island Tea Company next door, isn't worried about his potential new neighbour and welcomes the extra foot traffic in the area.

"When I think strip club, I'm thinking less party and less trouble than a lot of bars probably would be," he said. "For what I've seen in most large cities that I've lived in, they're no more trouble than a busy billiards club."

The Public Safety Compliance Team has spoken to the owners and have no concerns.

"I think that there might be some public perception issues with the fact that there is violence and higher rates of crime and disorder in and around exotic entertainment venues," said Troy Courtoreille.

"In some cases ...comparable analysis, is pretty much equal to a lot of the other establishments in the city of Edmonton."

Police and city officials say they have had no problems with the club's current location on Yellowhead Trail.

CBC News made repeated unsuccessful attempts to contact the owners about when X Bar may open.