It’s a bright, clean space with no sign of plastic penis straws or boob macaroni.
“Stripper heels are great, but at Pricilla’s there’s always a creepy guy behind the counter,” says Rich, a pixie-haired Ph.D. student in human sexuality. Her goal is to change shopping for sexual accessories from an awkward experience to a comfortable and educational one (a la the mother of all feministy sex-toy-shops, Good Vibrations in San Francisco).
Immediately, Rich dives into a spirited tour of the store, picking up alien-looking objects. “We have externals – which are just for your clit,” she says in a dramatic stage whisper, “and internals – which are not just for your clit.”
She then motions, Vanna White-like, to the “Wall of Local,” where she plans to spotlight a local designer each month. This month: Katie O. Designs. “She makes vibrator covers in all these cool, reversible materials,” Rich explains. “That way, when your parents come to your house, they have no idea what the hell that is.”
There’s also the Wall of Condoms (with different styles blown up for illustrative purposes); they sell for 75 cents each or in a mix-and-match bag of 12 for $8. But they’re not pina-colada flavored or neon-colored. Likewise, massage oils come in sophisticated scents such as lychee and cucumber.
Rich is proud of selling sex toys that don’t look like sex toys: vibrators made out of tiny, surgical-grade metal specifically for strapping onto a tongue; other vibrators that look like tubes of lipstick and rubber duckies; comforters with discreet straps for tying a person down on a bed.
On the flip side, she picks up a huge, flesh-colored, veiny dildo with a giant red base. “I don’t like stuff like this, and I’m probably going to stop carrying it because it’s kind of offensive to me, but it’s what people think of when they think of a dildo,” she says. “I’m trying to get Kansas City away from this idea.”
Rich means to educate. She describes herself as “a younger Dr. Ruth without the Israeli sniper training,” and she knows her stuff. She keeps the water-based lubricants separate from the silicone-based ones, advising that silicone will break down the latex in condoms. And she notes that the Tom and Sally’s chocolate body paint is only for use above the waist because, after all, “Sugar plus vagina equals yeast infection.” Many items are made from medical-grade materials.
A woman with a degree in library science rules over Rich’s book selection. Other employees include an STD expert, a breast-cancer researcher and a certified midwife. A staffer named Catherine is going to grad school in social work. Rich plans to hold workshops with names like Sex Toy 101 and Backdoor 101 and provide information on sex for people over 50 and sex for people with disabilities.
Those the store is “sex-positive,” Rich keeps curtains over the windows in deference to her landlord’s wishes. Also, you have to be 18 to enter -- and Rich says she checks IDs.
Tonight’s grand opening party lasts until 10 p.m., with free food and music by DJ Lynx. – Nadia Pflaum
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Marvelous posting bro. This is just a incredibly nicely structured post, just the data I was hunting just for. Kudos
I saw your statement about providing lectures for the disabled, I am interested and can I have more information. Thanks. Chris
My partner and i just stummbled across Wink on accident. I found Wink to be one of the cleanest, classiest sex shops i have been to(and ive been to a few). Elizabeth was so informative it was a big help!! Thanks Elizabeth we will be seing you soon.
I LOVE Wink. Elizabeth has a great concept here. Sex is positive. So why not a sex positive store? A lot of people want to ask questions about toys, but at Pricilla's, there's rarely anyone who can answer questions. The staff at Wink seem to know their stuff.
Am I the only one bothered by the fact that everytime we see the owners credentials they appear different? A.A. in human sexuality? from which community college? B.A. in American Studies? Graduate certificate? Hmmm... :) okay
Sorry but fuzzy credentials is a pet peeve of mine.
I'd like to say that, in keeping with the general notion of the store, I found Krishan's spam to be an entirely titillating response. Whether it was Krishan's latex language slathered with silicone syllabubs, or his (her?) oily attempt at drumming up business, I just know that (possibly due to the drumming) I'm vibrating with delectation.
Oh, Krishan, why must you spam a blog and not me, personally? I adore your S and your E and your O; do you really think these Philistines can truly appreciate your forceful marketing ways? And when you seduce me with such tawdry poetry wrapped up in "satisfy our client," its lyrical sensuality leaves me in
a
quivering
heap.
I sumbit, I submit.
I found WINK to be an educational and inviting experience. Although the store is small, the items seemed to be of very high quality. No penis/breast jokes or porn here. I left WINK with my bag of products for myself, and friends, happy to know there was a comfortable, sex-friendly store in town where a middle-of-the-road gal like me was not embarassed to be seen leaving. I think they are taking a great step forward for KC.
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I absolutely LOVED the store! I've never been a fan of "kink in your face" stores since sex is about pleasure, not flash in my opinion. Note the word opinion...
I found Wink relaxing, comfortable and a joy to peruse. Thanks for broadening our choice of sex shop here in KC!
The products were high quality, the staff were fun and approachable and the lack of black/red decor refreshing. I'll definitely be back.
Wink is a breath of fresh air. It would be nice if some of the commentors above could take into account that no one is perfect. Give the store owner a break. She's trying to make sex fun and educational, which can be very difficult in an area with so much negativity. Lighten up!
I found the store to be one great big bueatiful sigh of relief. In a world where sex toys for women are often demoted to simple inserts,the fact that Elizabeth is doing her best to put more spice AND education in women's sex was incredibly refreshing. I've never been to a sex toy shop where the employees were as informed and able to talk about in detail about each of their toys. This leads me to believe that, yes, Wink IS a "sex positive" place. You ladies keep it up, this is good work!
I live in the neighborhood between 39th and 43rd street. Now along with Pricillas, there is Deborah's and Wink. Cross Soutwest Traffic Way to the east along 39th St and soon you can find yourself a crack dealer.
I'm all for sex--good heart pounding sex, with accesories. But, I've got to say I'm beginning to think the troubles of 39th and Main are beginning to creep.
So, to the owner of Wink. Good luck with the store. I wish you well. But, do remember there's a residential neigborhood just behind your store, and don't fall prey to smuttyness for a quick profit.
High end vibrators and good info on good sex--YES. Penis shaped rubber dildos, porn by the pound, repressed men peaking around corners and from behind magazine shelves--PLEASE, NO.
Anon.
I did go and visit the store and was a little disappointed in the variety of product, especially after the reading the article. It seems to have on hand only a handful of choices. I was hoping to see a wider variety of shapes, sizes and materials considering they've compared themselves to Good Vibrations. I realize this is a start up and they may need more time to fill in the inventory but they just didn't seem to have what I was looking for. My other complaint would be about the so called "comfortable shopping environment" here. The store is small maybe 20-ft. deep, clearly small enough that if I had any questions or needed her help I could get her attention without effort. But during my shopping experience the clerk followed my partner and I from display to display hovering over our shoulders making any sort of private discussion impossible, talk about awkward. To me this was way creepier than a guy hanging out behind a counter waiting for me to make my purchase.
Give 'em a break, guys. If you have your sex toys and love 'em: good for you! But not everyone is comfortable with their sexuality and it's nice to see a store making itself available to a secondary audience. I'm sure the shop didn't and doesn't mean to exclude anyone who owns veiny dildos or Pricilla's toys, they're just offering different toys in a different way.
I think it'll be a great addition to the sex toy market in KC.
So what you're saying Rita is essentially yes... John is right... silicone doesn't break down latex condoms... oil does and your store has managed to give our inaccurate info in its first media release.
From the tone of Rita and the original article it seems like the people at this store have alot of contempt for people in KC. Comments like "I�m trying to get Kansas City away from this idea.� and "her you want to say "MORE VEINY REALISTIC DILDOS PLEASE!!!" or "MORE DOLPHIN-SHAPED NON-PHALLIC CLIT VIBES OR ELSE!!!" is up to the fine citizens of KC." ...have a real undertone that you guys think you're superior to all the riff-raff and idiots that need to be educated about sex in K.C.
It sounds like a store for a pretty select narrow crowd of people. I hope there is enough cash flow in that clique to support the store.
Silicone lube will break down silicone toys. Oil-based lubes will break down latex (condoms or otherwise). Water-based lube is safe for everything, so if you're looking for a good all-purpose lube that won't break ANYTHING down, that would be your best bet.
I'd encourage everyone to stop into the store and make suggestions about what you'd like to see carried. You won't see chains asking you for input like that. Wink has a suggestion box - whether you want to say "MORE VEINY REALISTIC DILDOS PLEASE!!!" or "MORE DOLPHIN-SHAPED NON-PHALLIC CLIT VIBES OR ELSE!!!" is up to the fine citizens of KC.
I've been in a few shops in Kansas City that sell sex toys, and though I felt comfortable in them, my wife did not. When she walked into Wink though she was surprised at how comfortable she felt. It feels a lot like being at an art gallery. And they've got some fun toys and accentuators that you won't find anywhere else.
Kansas City has the maturity and sophistication to deal with healthy sexuality, and I'm glad to see Wink in our community.
I would like to take this chance to thank the Kansas City blogging community for feeling passionate enough about this topic to comment! As always, I will continue to refine my language and attitude to create a safe space for everyone. I apologize for the offense.
Personally, I have never felt comfortable going into pricilla's. It's nice to hear that there is a store that takes sex more seriously!
I think having a sex positive store in the KC area is a great idea... but only if people can go in and not feel badly about what they buy. Based on the big veiny, dildo comment, I do not feel like I would be comfortable in this "sex positive" store.
Wow, arrogant! What's wrong with a big floppy dildo honey? I have vibes and "big floppy dildoes" and they offend you? :) um...okay and guess what sweetie, I'm 59 and when I go over to my daughter's house cover or no, my husband and I can spot of vibe or dildo! Sound like you've got alot of growing up to do...
What is this woman talking about? I go into Priscilla's all the time and every time I remember being in there a woman has been behind the counter?
Thank you all for coing out and making Wink so successful in the first 48 hours! Everyone who works at the store is so proud and has worked so hard to make it happen.
Just to clarify, our breast cancer researcher is our librarian, and has an amazing background, and I think Pricilla's has a place in KC. I will always gladly send anyone there if the product you are looking for is there.
See you all at WINK!
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