Jun 5, 2008 9:54 am US/Eastern
Baby-Friendly Sex Shop To Open In NYC
Strollers Welcome, Changing Station Available At Store In Quiet Neighborhood That Specializes In Adult Toys
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CBS) ―
You would think a sex shop might not go over well in a neighborhood with families and small children. But as CBS station WCBS-TV found out, one New York neighborhood is approaching the often taboo topic in a new way.
Along quiet Bergen Street in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, comes Babeland. You wouldn't know what the shop sells unless you read the fine print.
The shop sells body products and adult toys. Claire Cavanah is the owner, a mother who said she designed the place to be kid friendly.
"Strollers will be welcome in the store and we are putting a changing table in the bathroom in case the little one needs a diaper change while you're shopping," Cavanah said.
Cavanah said she'll target the mothers with special seminars.
"We plan to hold workshops that discuss motherhood and sexuality and body image," Cavanah said.
A maternity store called Bump is located next door to the sex shop. The owners are two mothers who met Cavanah years ago at a baby yoga class. They are thrilled to have her in the neighborhood and say they're actually in the same line of work.
"Both our businesses are in the business of sex," Hannah MacDonald said. "We wouldn't have bumps without sex."
On the other side, you have Paul Zumoff who owns an organic restaurant that sells an herbal formula to boost libido.
"Conveniently we're right next door if you need us to help recharge your batteries and get balance so that you can get your groove on," Zumoff said.
So what do parents think?
"There's room for everybody, so I don't object to it," Corrine Rodriguez said.
"I have two little girls, 4 and 5, (and) I'm actually totally OK with it," Sue Gilad said. "I think this is a part of life."
"I actually think it's really fun and cool, now I don't have to go to the West Village," another mother said with a laugh.
When the store opens Thursday, it'll be the fifth Babeland nationwide.
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