BOTTOM LINE: This story struck us as funny and we wondered why is this store any different than a normal porn shop like Priscilla's opening up a new store? Is it because it is not a "sex shop," but "an educational experience?" Is it because the owner has a "Sexologist" degree? It seems as if they sell dildos and other sex toys just like other places for perverts. 03-15-2008
Sexologists store offers an educational experience Joyce Smith, KC Star (3/14/08) With a name like Wink, consumers would be excused for thinking they were walking into an optical shop. But Wink is out to open eyes in a different way. Elizabeth Rich, a clinical sexologist, opened her “sex-positive, gender-neutral, orientation-friendly store” a few months ago at 1415 W. 39th St. “I have a lot of people who stumble in here, and those are actually some of the most gratifying experiences,” Rich said. “Most of the people who wonder if we are a sex shop find out pretty quickly that we are different. We really try to make it an educational experience as opposed to a retail experience.” Rich has a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a graduate sexologist degree from The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, and she is working on her doctorate in human sexuality from the institute. She was living in San Francisco and visited Good Vibrations, a similar store offering sexual information and products, and decided it was needed in the Kansas City area. Recently, a new mother stopped into the store and confided a problem she was having after giving birth and discussed with Rich what products could help. Rich also has held bachelorette parties in the store. “People find we have all of these really great partner products, things that can just enhance their bedroom experience whether they have just gotten married or they have been married for 40 years,” Rich said. “And the men are generally the ones who are a little bit more uncomfortable than their wives. So that’s sort of a little bit of a cultural turnaround.” Wink products also are available online at www.winkkc.com. Rich also is considering her options and may have someone take over the day-to-day retail operations so she can work full time with Joani Blank, founder of Good Vibrations and a writer and educator in sexuality.
