This place has only been open four days and....
OK I was probably the last media person to interview the owner and the place has only been open four days! So what is the enterprise that has created such a stir in the time? A Sex Shop, called "Saucy Essentials" that's what. We have had sex shops in Cobourg before but never in such a high profile spot as this - on the main drag and opposite City Hall.
Entering boldly through the main entrance, there is a back door for the shy and publicity averse, I introduced myself to a very cheery lady called Wendy. I didn't ask her last name and she doesn't give it on her cards. So it's just Wendy. "I think that there is a need for this kind of store" she told me. I agreed and suggested that there were more than a few repressed people living in Cobourg. Asking if there had been any reaction to the opening, knowing that a special meeting of the DBIA had been convened to discuss it and aware of the fact that many people had been voicing disapproval, she has even had to be checked out by the local cops as well having to prove she complied with local zoning bylaws, she replied, "Reaction has been good, I have been four times busier than planned."
As I prepared to leave I asked, "What has been your best seller?" Grinning wickedly she replied, "Now I can't tell you that, can I"
Entering boldly through the main entrance, there is a back door for the shy and publicity averse, I introduced myself to a very cheery lady called Wendy. I didn't ask her last name and she doesn't give it on her cards. So it's just Wendy. "I think that there is a need for this kind of store" she told me. I agreed and suggested that there were more than a few repressed people living in Cobourg. Asking if there had been any reaction to the opening, knowing that a special meeting of the DBIA had been convened to discuss it and aware of the fact that many people had been voicing disapproval, she has even had to be checked out by the local cops as well having to prove she complied with local zoning bylaws, she replied, "Reaction has been good, I have been four times busier than planned."
As I prepared to leave I asked, "What has been your best seller?" Grinning wickedly she replied, "Now I can't tell you that, can I"
10 comments:
Owning a business like this requires the proprietess to be discrete.
Interesting heritage facade.
If you go into saucy essentials DO NOT buy their gum.
It tastes like rubber!
I am stunned that the DBIA found it necessary to hold a special meeting just for this, and that the Police charged her a $500 licence fee as an adult entertainment shop.
Are we in a time warp, trapped in the 50s with the Church Lady? It's funny, weird and embarrassing all at once. I just hope none of my city friends hear about this, I will never hear the end of it.
Sex and seduction has always been heritage.
Image what will happen when it is discovered that they have brown dildos for sale!
Deb, the DBIA did not call a special meeting; they did respond to some concerns raised by members, as they are expected and required to do.
The DBIA is a levied, must-belong organization that carries three responsibilities - the promotion of the Downtown as a Business area, the beautification of that designated area and the general upkeep of the environmental space of that area, and nothing else.
The DBIA has no mandate to govern businesses or properties, and has no authority over what comes and goes in the central business area, or anywhere else.
That may help when you feel troubled by anything that happens downtown.
BTW - DBIA activities are funded by a tax levied on every commercial property in the DBIA area, usually paid by the tenant, who would be a business. There is no exemption so all the businesses in the DBIA area must contribute to cover those expenses.
Manfred's explanation of how and why the DBIA is funded is excellent information. I knew this before but I would guess not many other people do know this -- except business people in the DBIA area. Note: that is ALL businesses, including upstairs, out of the way offices like lawyers, accountants, etc. Also the DBIA area is relatively large. Many would be surprised to hear what its boundaries are. Knowing all that, though, isn't this levy an excellent thing? Isn't it precisely the way a tax should work? Those reaping the direct benefit pay the levy.
As to the "heritage facade" of Saucy Essentials: the paint job is not as pink as Ben's photo makes it look. It is the exact same burgundy as the linked business across the road: Cobourg Buy & Sell. If I am not mistaken, the two business people involved in those 2 stores are a husband and wife team.
Darn, you mean it's not shocking pink ?
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