Posted 20 October 2004 - 10:29 AM
Good morning.
This is the first time that I have posted on this website. But I thought it would be valuable to provide some first hand information to minimize the rumor and innuendo. When I first heard about the Ms. Teaz store, I was told it was going to be upscale lingerie similar to a “Victoria Secrets”. I am not opposed to this type of store and thought it would be a nice addition to Sutter Street.
However, later I learned that the Dufours had made a presentation and provided their business plan to the Folsom Historic District Association. During their sales pitch, their presentation focused on the front of the store which included the lingerie. A board member had heard a rumor that they would be carrying sex toys and asked them directly if that would be the case. After a bit of stumbling, they did admit that they would be carrying adult “novelties” including sex toys.
Since my vision of adult shops is negative, I thought it warranted additional research. I asked for a copy of the business plan and contacted one of the property owners that leased the space to the Dufours. He indicated to me that he felt that the adult section would be nothing more than gag and bachelor/bachelorette party gifts but would ask Sam Dufour to contact me directly.
Sam called and after a long introduction, we reviewed the business plan including comparing and contrasting the competing businesses he provided in his business plan (Kiss and Tell in Fair Oaks, Naughty and Nice in Citrus Heights, Evangelines in Old Sacramento and Victoria Secrets). During this discussion, he indicated that the business most representative would be Spartacus Leathers and Lingerie in Portland, Oregon. He said that the front of the store would be “exactly” like Spartacus and the back of his store would be a “subset of Spartacus” not including the “pony wear” and the rental DVDs and videos. As I tried to get Sam to be more specific about exactly what kind of products would be in the adult section, he became a bit defensive.
After speaking to Sam, I grew more concerned and reviewed his business plan in detail. Under Products and Services, Leather, Latex, Rubber, Vinyl and Gear, the Ms. Teaz business plan lists two products lines “Spartacus Leathers” and “Sportsheets”. An internet search adding .com after these products, provides the vendor’s on line catalogue.
Please note that these are adult sites and not appropriate for children.
Spartacus describes their store as follows: “Since 1987, Spartacus Enterprises of Oregon has been producing the highest quality of leather bondage toys and nipple clamps. We are a recognized name throughout the world for our extensive selection and craftsmanship. Here in Portland, you can find it all at our store: whips, paddles, crops, blindfolds, masks, hoods, wrist and ankle restraints, collars, gags, handcuffs, toys for boys, harnesses, chaps, vests, leather lingerie, etc.
The Sportsheet site is more of the same. Also in the business plan is a section on Educational/How to Media including books such as “Japanese Rope Tying”. An internet search will find that this is bondage.
I also attended a presentation at Sam’s store. He again became very defensive about the products in the back room. It was obvious that no one was much concerned about the lingerie but asked if he would eliminate the adult section. Sam indicated that the lingerie would be nice but “sex sells”.
After the presentation, I again spoke to the property owner and shared with him my research on the business plan. He said he would ask the Dufours to tone it down and assured me he would not allow products that were objectionable. I asked him to restrict his lease so that we could be assured of that. He didn’t think that would be necessary.
After the review of the business plan, the discussion with Sam and the presentation at Sam’s store, I felt that my concerns were justified. I then flew to Portland and visited Spartacus Leathers and Lingerie. In the front of the store, I didn't find the Hustler brand lingerie especially upscale nor did I find the "School Girl" outfit appealing. However, maybe their pedophile clients do. The media section was also disturbing with the following titles including "Japanese Bondage", "Flogging", "Complete Spanker" and "Wound Culture". Without being more explicit, I found that many of the products in the store were designed to restrain, dominate, intimidate and inflict pain. In my opinion, these products are generally demeaning to women and encourage women to be viewed as objects of sexual gratification rather than equal partners.
I hope that the City and the property owners can keep these products off Sutter Street and we can instead encourage the types of businesses that others have mentioned here including coffee shops, bookstores, record stores, specialty grocery stores and the like. Hopefully, the community pressure will convince the Dufours to modify their business plan and open a nice lingerie shop rather than the Spartacus store Sam wished to emulate.
I felt it important to provide you this information. I don’t see this as a witch hunt. I see this as concerned citizens who care about the Historic District, our quality of life in Folsom and the model that we provide our children. Please feel free to do your own research. I do have a copy of the business plan that I can provide you. Thanks for listening.
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