TEMECULA -- A drinking glass that featured a cartoonish image of a male sex organ displayed at a store in The Promenade mall prompted the city to fine the store $50.

City officials delivered the citation early Wednesday morning to Spencer Gifts after receiving a complaint from Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar.

The store, which specializes in a variety of quirky gifts, such as edible underwear and party games, has been in trouble before. A previous complaint by Naggar regarding a risque Halloween costume of a giant male sex organ landed the store a fine in November 2002.

The city ordinance that the items violated was passed by the City Council after a group of residents complained that some of the more irreverent products in Spencer Gifts could be viewed by children. The City Council changed its ordinance regarding adult merchandise to restrict the display of sexually oriented items so that children younger than 18 would not have access to them.

Michael Champion, spokesman for the New Jersey-based retail chain, said Wednesday that he was unaware of the incident and would have to consult with the company's attorneys before commenting.

Naggar said Wednesday that he noticed the drinking glass near the store's front door as he walked through the mall with his wife March 13 and made a complaint to city staff the following week because, in his view, it violated the city ordinance.

"This is porn," Naggar said. "If they're going to display something like this, they're going to have to stick it somewhere else."

Naggar added that the restrictions are justified because much of the store's merchandise appeals to children.

"They sell a lot of novelties that are identified with today's pop culture," he said.

A casual walk through the store Wednesday showed shelves stocked with dolls dressed in Gothic garb; drink coasters that read "Take me drunk, I'm home again"; wall clocks decorated with the Playboy logo; and posters of characters from "The Lord of the Rings" movies.

The more risque items, such as edible garments, were placed on shelves near the back of the store.

An employee of the store said city officials delivered the citation just after the store opened Wednesday morning but declined to comment further.

Contact staff writer Michael Buchanan at (909) 676-4315, Ext. 2623, or mbuchanan@californian.com.