(Sex) Shopping Around

Whether you’re shopping for a gift for your partner, a bachelorette party, your own sexual pleasure sex shops are a great place to pick up all things spicy or sensual. While they often get a seedy reputation, sex shops are great places when they’re done right. I thought this week I would go and explore a couple of Erie boulevards finest “Adult World” and “Boulevard Books.”

I started at “Boulevard Books” whose sign looks like it could be for a cute boutique. But, upon entrance to the store, I realized that’s where this cute aesthetic ended. It didn’t feel super clean upon entry and no one said a word to me as I walked in. The radio was playing and it felt empty of life while full of all things sexual and not to mention there was a smoke shop cameo right next to the wall of condoms and lube. While the store clerk who recommended the company VeDo as beginner sex toys was a woman, this place felt like it was coming almost entirely from a man's point of view (which unfortunately is the truth about a lot of sex stores.) It felt objectifying towards women both straight and LGBTQ and didn’t have much for women looking for themselves. The CD’s in the back were almost all directed at straight men. The only LGBTQ categories I saw on the shelves were “bisexual, she male and all boys.” Even these felt outdated, objectifying and not with the current times. In the back there was a sign for an “arcade” and I was startled by a man who yelped when he saw me as he exited. I went in and saw stalls meant for viewing porn and though not advertised formally, for men to masturbate in. I left soon after and headed over to “Adult World” hoping for a better, more inclusive environment.

“Adult World'' was very strict with ID upon entry, and felt more organized than “Boulevard Books.” The sign for “Adult World” made me smile as I noticed the slogan under it read “self-love is the greatest middle finger of all time.” When I walked in I noticed it was certainly cleaner and more organized. There was a large array of vibrators and the woman behind the counter was eager to help and assist. They had a whole range of types and price tags as well as other toys with these same ranges. There was also a broader selection of lingerie. Though they had many of the general porn categories for video, sex dolls and objectifying images we expect when we go into a sex store the inventory was very expansive to include all sorts of people, fetishes, and sexual orientations. The store is attached to a gentlemen's club so the level of inclusivity surprised me. It felt like any person could get help with what they needed regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

In an era where taboo items can be discreetly dropped off at our house, I feel there is something to be said about shopping in person, especially for sex items. This way you or you and your partner can see for yourself what it is you are buying and find items that are right for your bedroom. I know I feel a lot more comfortable when things are explained to me by experts and I’m more inclined to purchase if it's an educated one. Though I wouldn’t say either of these stores were the best of the best, I definitely would shop at “Adult World” over “Boulevard Books.”