We need a high quality sex shop in downtown Northfield

nfld-news-fantasy-gifts-sshot fantasygifts
On the front page of the Northfield News web site there’s a link (in pink!) in the upper left corner: Romantic occasion? Click here!  It links to a big graphic, an ad for the Fantasy Gifts store in Lakeville. (I love their by-line: “Actually, what you do in your bedroom is our business.”)

Some people would say that FG is in the porn business, because of some of the items they carry. (I guess I’ll have to do yet another journalistic field trip to find out.)

But aside from that issue, I think having a sex shop in downtown Northfield could be a great tourist attraction and an economic boost for downtown. All the folks from the cities who are reluctant to shop locally for their sex toys would be more inclined to drive a bit where nobody knows who they are. And of course, people would have to buy something from another store while they’re here so that it wouldn’t seem like they’re sex addicts. (This is similar to the way I used to — used to, mind you — buy magazines at Shinder’s: “Let’s see, a New York Times, Mother Jones, The Economist… oh, and a current issue of Playboy, please.“)

The NDDC and the Chamber could help with some promotional slogans, ie:

  • What happens in downtown Northfield, stays in downtown Northfield
  • Cows, colleges and sexual contentment
  • Grab her buns, boys, they’re …

Can someone from the EDA rise to the occasion on this?

10 Comments

  1. David Henson said:

    Slightly off topic (way off but Griff mentioned cows) – but where exactly are the cows in Northfield ? I’ve seen a few in Lakeville off Cedar but nary a one in Northfield.

    May 14, 2008
  2. Mary Rossing said:

    Cows? The NDDC recently introduced Patty Cash, downtown’s new mascot. She was last seen at Girls Night Out, and will be appearing at numerous events throughout the summer. She LOVES downtown Northfield!

    May 14, 2008
  3. Charlene Coulombe- Fiore said:

    tooo funny!

    I am so sure the new EDA Manager will love this assignment.

    Perhaps Locally Grown can do a “welcome to locally grown 101 ” class for dummies.
    How to survive in Northfield.

    I am so laughing at this one.
    Has anyone asked Victor about this new tenant?

    May 14, 2008
  4. Griff Wigley said:

    Hey, Charlene, great idea, a sex shop would be a perfect tenant for Summa’s building. Store names? “Summa’s Cum Laude” or how about “Viktor’s Veni Veni Veni”

    May 15, 2008
  5. Colleen Hollinger Petters said:

    Griff, Can you help me with the definition of “high quality sex shop” vs. alternatives to this (mediocre sex shop, for example, or Zen sex shop). You are such a great ‘words’ guy that I know you’ll be able to enlighten me.

    Since it is a presidential election year, maybe we could somehow tie it to the Republican or Democratic sex shop? (Would that mean the Democratic shop is a group? Is so, then I would have to go Independent.) I think clarification will help the EDA more successfully target the right entrepreneur.

    May 15, 2008
  6. Colleen,

    A “high quality sex shop” really keeps the customers coming, and they still respect themselves when they get the credit card statement.

    May 15, 2008
  7. If owner of a building has a space for me. I’ll consider a store. I have plenty of customers in the area. I love Northfield several of my friends went to school there and always had fun when I visited them!!!

    May 15, 2008
  8. Griff Wigley said:

    Oh, oh. Two “Colleens” now participating, one the owner of a senior condo development, the other the owner of a chain of sex shops. How am I going to keep them straight?

    Colleen HP, I sure hope Rick Estenson, pres. of the EDA, is paying attention to this thread. Having just done the Full Monty routine (photo here) with me and Ross, one would think so.

    Colleen B, I’m delighted to have the owner of Fantasy Gifts here. The Northfield Chamber has a web page of business sites available. Two that I’m aware of downtown:

    • Victor and Kiffi Summa own a building in the heart of downtown between 3rd and 4th on Division. Carleton College has a bookstore in one of their retail spaces called River City Books. The other is empty/available.
    • The Northfield Historical Society just lost a retail space tennant in their building, right on Bridge Square. Contact Exec. Director Hayes Scriven.
    May 15, 2008
  9. kiffi summa said:

    Griff: Fluff or not …I can’t have a sex shop in my building… I’m not encouraging visitations by council members!

    And right across the river from the Key? our zoning is bad, but not THAT bad!

    Please take me off the list… Thank you very much!

    May 15, 2008

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