Womyns'Ware - We Are Famous!

Womyns'Ware is Famous!

You just would NOT believe how famous we're becoming. I mean, WE can hardly believe it. We are SOOOO famous that we decided to create one page dedicated to our appearances in various fame-inducing media, including magazines, newspaper columns, books, television, and even movies. We only just started keeping track like this, so several older features aren't mentioned here.

• We're not so sure that we'd call offering Olympic-Worthy promotions "erect[ing] a naughty guerrilla marketing campaign" but 24 Hours did do a lovely job of highlighting our modest efforts at welcoming the world to the 2010 Winter Olympics. And "Why not Womyns'Ware and Olympic Sports," Sylvest told 24 hours via email. "Both sex and sporting activities are excellent cardiovascular endeavours and statistically I've read that sex is more often engaged in during the Winter months, just like the luge."

• Cofounder Janna Sylvest throughly enjoyed her interview exchange of ideas with Maclean's regular contributor Anne Kingston and good on Anne for putting into ink what we've been putting down for 15 years: "sex toys ... emerge as proud badges of eco-awareness." As Janna comments in the article: "We're getting the first consumer wave to demand the same quality from their sex toys that they're demanding for their children's food." and this can only help to contribute to the enviromentalist rally against dumping crap sex toys into our land fill. As consumers, practice the mantra for all consumption, not just sex toys, that lasting quality and healthy materials are naturally green!

•Us? Again? Golly Gee, it's Ideal to be a winner! Butt Seriously, we all know Two Can Tango (or is that 'takes two to tango'?...) so thank YOU for the vote, and for being a Friend and watching us Blossom all these years! It's Superbe! It's Magnifique! It's Synergy!

•Props to Edmonton sexologist Brian Parker, who mentions our safe sex toy standards in this article. "A handful of stores adhere to strict guidelines and only carry safe sex-toys, like Vancouver-based womynsware.com, which is known as the authority on good products, says Parker."

•Check us out on CBC's Living Vancouver! With the enticing words "follow me…. To the happiest place in the city!", Looking for Love segment columnist Christine Lippa invites CBC's Living Vancouver viewers into our store. Our retail manager, Andrea, gives Christine a tour and the lowdown of who we are and what to expect. Christine's handy tips (do some research, voice your nervousness, know your likes/dislikes) are sure to put a first-time Womyns'Ware shopper at ease. You may end up as Christine said she did-- "…with a big smile on my face!"

Click here to watch the segment (you may need QuickTime)

•Even though we aren't located in the West End of Vancouver, many customers have found that we are more than worth the trek to this side of the city for the best selection of sex toys and other fine products related to women's sexuality. The WestEnder readers have selected us again as winner in the "Best Sex Toy Shop" category and tied us for second place as "Best Fetish Store"! Thank you again, West Enders!

•Chatelaine magazine's February 2008 cover states "We're not having enough sex!" but you only need turn to page 30 of the issue to discover how you can remedy that! We're listed as a place to "try a little something saucy" under the heading "Treat Yourself". We couldn't agree more and what better way to start than by ordering our Sex Toy Guide? As Chatelaine notes, it's "free on [our] website or $5 for a print version. (Even better: That $5 goes toward your next purchase.)" And who wouldn't want to order from a business described as "takes women's health seriously" and "is picky about its products"?!

•Our Retail Manager was recently part of a panel discussion on CBC Radio's Sounds Like Canada show, hosted by Shelagh Rogers. The topic was Sex after 50, and although our RM has not reached half a century herself yet, many of our customers have, and she had much wit and honesty to impart to the conversation. It was a very candid, spirited discussion, that included the views of three local, professional women. Many topics were touched upon including; not being worried about societal expectations anymore, the invisibility of "older" women, increased feelings of confidence and security, letting go and the liberation that comes with it. Thoughts on orgasms, and definitions of romance were also talked about and everyone agreed that good manners = great sex. Many customers in our store who are in their 50's and beyond are finally at a place in their lives where they have more time, and are wishing to learn and explore, and this too, was mentioned. Do have a listen for yourself here: Sounds Like Canada (look for the Sept.28/07 podcast)

•In celebration of our 11th win for Best Sex Toy Store, our Retail Manager and the Lady Mascot enjoyed a wonderful evening with familiar faces, fine food, and fun festivities at this years Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver Awards Party. It was another beautifully organized event, that included a magician and caricaturist this year! Loads of fun were had by all!

•Our customers know that we always have the best buys when it comes to sex toys because our products are top quality and thoughtfully designed. Now readers flipping through Vancouver Magazine's brand new July issue can read all about us too! We are featured in their "Best Buys" section, which includes a ton of other great deals at stores around the city and on Commercial Drive. Of all the shopping districts covered(and there were many!) we are the only shop dealing in sexual items to be mentioned! Our Clit Kit and Lord of the Rings gift buckets were highlighted, both super choices as they come with all the fixins' of lube, batteries, great toys and a galvanized bucket for storage!

•The West End may be the most densely populated area in North America but when all those folks pick up their sex toys, they come to Commercial Drive and choose Womyns'Ware as The Best Sex Toy Shop in Vancouver! Check it out in the 10th Annual Best of City Readers' Choice Awards in the Westender. We are also amongst their favourite Fetish Stores; no doubt in part because of our new, exclusive Boudoir Bondage line!

•Well, it is better to be talked about than to not be talked about when someone makes a list of the city’s most notable sex toy shops so we are happy to make that list in the latest issue of Vancouver Magazine. While we’re not going to get into our little black dresses just to prove that we’re not all butch we will argue that we have made every attempt to represent all forms of women not just those that society deems sexy! And we are glad that they noticed that our store could aptly be described as a “Romper Room” for adults (with vintage vibrators but no wood paneling!). We’ve always thought of our décor as Adult Science World. That is why the things that we sell are called “toys” after all. We look forward to a flurry of West-siders coming into the store to experience the ‘differently-cultured’ Commercial Drive.

•Another well known columnist has ‘pegged’ us as a fine place to shop for supplies and equipment. Dan Savage listed our website as a source for strap-on goods in his column from the week of November 30. His column is printed each week in the Georgia Straight amongst other papers and archived here. Of course, information on our strap-on goods is available all the time on our website!

• Well known sex and relationship columnist Josey Vogels wanted gift suggestions from her “favorite Canadian Toy stores” and Womyns’Ware was on the list. Her (and our) suggestions appeared in the November 30 column of My Messy Bedroom and include the Love Rings that are helping us ring in the season. We’re always happy when people come to us for advice on buying quality sex toys!

• Best Fetish Ware Store and Best Sex Toy Store is our claim to fame! The Lady mascot and our very own Retail Manager went to the Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver winners' party and had a ball! The Lady schmoozed and danced and made herself available for photo ops! After all was said and done she waltzed off into the sunset along the boardwalk--- a beautiful sight! (thanks to photographer Phillip Chin!)

• My Life as a Super Model! As you may know Womyns’Ware Inc. was chosen to participate in Vancouver magazine's Secrets of the City feature, a feature that is produced annually and is comprised of a collection of 13 interviews with 13 prominent Vancouverites. I, as the Retail Manager, was selected to participate on behalf of Womyns'Ware. Part of the deal is that a photo was needed. The following is a look into what went down!

Note: I have a new respect for those calorie starved, uber-tall and unusually proportioned people who earn their livelihood posing in front of the camera!

9:40 am Saturday April 29th I got into the car after spending near 1/2 an hour straightening my hair and applying “natural” yet “striking” make up (I know that that does not sound like such a long time but in my world as a working-mother-of-three-girls-and-a-high-maintence-man-all-sharing-the-same-bathroom a whole 1/2 hour is out of control! I am lucky to spend 10 minutes on my appearance on an average day!) So yeah, looking good, feeling fine. The weather slightly overcast but as far as I am concerned that will set a nice “moody tone” to the photos.

Yeah.

I pull up into the parking lot at Spanish Banks to meet up with 1) Gary Fitzpatrick, the freelance Fashion Photographer Vancouver magazine has hired for this feature, and 2) the first of many, many, many water-laden rain drops. I walk with Gary over to the “site” he has selected … a stretch of sand just this side of the parking lot. Behind me is the Ocean and what would be the downtown core if you could see it. In front of me? Wind, Rain, Wind and MORE RAIN! Oh yeah … and a camera with a man behind it who’s politely suggesting that I “ Now, look into the camera." ”Walk away and look back." ”Okay, you're doing great! Now look up. Yeah, great!” etcetera, etcetera, etcetera! Midway, my false eyelashes decide that they are not up to this kind of treatment and migrate south, down my cheek. “I guess it’s off with these," I say cheerily! On to more shots. My hair has evolved into a windblown, very, very NOT straight and coifed do! My jacket is soaked through, my white leather stilettos full of sand, my white long sleeve jersey Club Monaco T shirt is clinging to me in some of the most peculiar of places! “Just 10 more shots." "Look away, okay, back at me." "Thanks for being such a trooper! You did great!”

I smile, say “Thank you. It was fun!” (Smile, Smile)

I jump into my car! Shivering, I turn on the heat full blast. It’s 11:10 am. I think: “So this is what it is like to be a model. My God! Why would anyone choose to do this for a living?” Once home in my warm apartment, I slip into “something more comfortable … well dry at least, and head out to work. On my walk up the alley I consider this …One must have an insurmountable ego to want to model. Somehow it is worth the money and the physical exertion that is involved in ensuring your moments are captured in print. The model must have a deep desire to exist in time … must want to be seen and noticed in a big way. It is just not something that I can see the average person working towards. I guess that is why “Super Models “ are just that - they are not average people. They are uniquely shaped and uniquely proportioned individuals comprised of a unique physiological make up allowing them to be “Super”.

My hat's off to them!

•Check out Andrea Dobbs' recommendations on how to shop for a vibe in Chatelaine magazine's Good vibes quiz ! Our very own retail manager gives the scoop on how to choose one with suggestions of what might be in line with your tastes. Haute couture? Definitely a Lily. Pretty, cute and feminine? Try Nea on for size. Sporty? The smart car of vibes: a Lava Spot. Which one is for you?

•Happy International Women’s Day! See our feature in The Ubyssey’s Further Adventures in Feminism issue to see how “Womyns’Ware empowers local women”!

• We're flattered by all the praise we received with our Westender Reader's Choice Awards! "The folks at Womyns'Ware … have created a sex-positive environment free of seedy implications and shame. Unabashedly targeted towards the fairer sex, it boasts knowledgeable staff; trustworthy, warrantied product; and, best of all, none of the neon-lit dodginess of certain competitors. Getting off never felt so wholesome." Thanks to the Westender readers for voting us Best Sex-Toy Shop and Best Fetish Shop again! See the accolades courtesy of the Westender here!

• News for the health-conscious consumer: Womyns'Ware is an ideal place "to get some healthy lovin' into your healthy living"! Under the heading of Even sex products can be fair trade, organic, and environmentally friendly, Shared Vision calls us "arguably Canada's mothership of quality sex products and novice-friendly information" and highlights our Clit Capsule as "an ethical toy." Shop with us and see why Fair Trade IS good trade!

• "Yes, that is a picture of our Tandem Butt Beauties with the tagline "Best place to buy anal beads" on page 61 in this year's Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver issue. We received this honourable mention along with our win in three categories: Best Sex Toy Store, Best Fetish-Ware Shop and Most Unusual Wedding Registry. What better way to say "congratulations" to the newlyweds than with a Womyns'Ware Gift Certificate?

• Tune in to CBC Radio-Canada this fall to catch us on Cliché, a 16-part West Coast series that seeks "to question the stereotypes". We're featured in their sex and sexuality segment tackling myths and rumours about Vancouver.

• A female condom? Yup, and we've been selling it for years! Click here for the International Women's Day radio segment where our Retail Manager gives the scoop on this unique contraceptive.

• Hope you were able to catch the cover feature in the Georgia Straight's Valentine's issue. Womyns'Ware was once again established as the place to be. With or without a partner, our co-founders and Retail Manager make it clear that our "goals are to educate women and their sexual partners--yes, that includes men--about safe, quality sex products and to help those who are timid or simply perplexed when it comes to finding an appropriate sex toy." We're here for you!

• We sure are happy over here in the Eastside to be voted #1 by readers in the West. Yep, the Westender's fabulous readers have once again voted us Best Sex Toy Shop. Thanks to them for having such a "global" view! ;)

• We're Famous … and if you don't count The Royal Canadian Air Farce as extremely famous, shame on you! On Monday nights show, an Air Farce skit went something like this: "A spokesperson for a Women's Sex Toy Store in Vancouver said their slowest week of the year for sales is right before Income Tax is due. We say the obvious reason is that people aren't doing it when the Government is doing it to them." That's us and our often quoted answer to questions about our finances! And thanks Air Farce for making Womyns'Ware part of classic CBC comedy.

• Womyns'Ware Co-founder Otter gave a tour of our shop to the host of PINK PLANET: A Global Search for Gay Culture, and touched on some of what makes the Drive (that's Commercial Drive to you non-locals ;) a community that embraces diversity. The Vancouver episode, set to air in January 2005 on CityTV, focused on the Drive, the Dyke March, the Pride Parade, gay culture in Vancouver, and of course, us!

• Us? Best of Vancouver…. Again?! Awww, thanks Vancouver, for voting us the best Sex Toy Store ….. For the SEVENTH consecutive year!! We're happy to be your number one. And happy to be located on fabulous Commercial Drive, voted runner-up Best Neighbourhood :)

• Scarlett Magazine featured our very own business expert, co-founder Janna Sylvest, in an article devoted to how "women are now creating the spaces they need to run profitable sex-related businesses". The author offered this sage advice that sums up our philosophy: "Luckily, there are myriad more positive ways to make money out of the modern woman's unabashed interest in sex. You could open up a shop like Womyns'Ware, which has a fair-trade policy, works to educate women about sexuality, and sells products designed exclusively for women."

• We've got international presence! Aishti, a Lebanese lifestyle magazine, has recommended us as the place to shop for "dildos and vibrators….a woman's (second-best!) friend".

• Pot TV sought us out for a store tour on International Women's Day. They especially loved our hemp-based O'My Lube. The interviewer summed it up when she said, "Gotta love it-- sex toys designed by women!"

• On Beyond Invention watch for a full segment featuring the Womyns'Ware founders being, well, inventive! Come along for the ride as this Discovery Network show delves in to the personalities that invent our sex toys and the behind the scenes 'nuts and bolts' of the factory where the designs are realized.

• As XtraWest says: "There's chocolates. And flowers. But … in the spirit of setting love free, we … evaluate a new generation of sex toys - the kind of toys that big kids can buy their lover to celebrate. The folks at Xtra West have recommended some Womyns'Ware finds for Valentine's Day gifts: The Gripper, Hathor Lube, and the Grrly Grrl Harness. We think your sweetie will love them too!

• Thanks for the nod, Sasha! Eye magazine's sex advice columnist described a Womyns'Ware exclusive, the Dam Right garter, as "groovy". Yeah, baby!

• We've been invited to Co-op Radio to give their listeners the goods on what's hot for Valentine's Day. Tune in at 8pm on February 12th to get the scoop!

• Did you hear? We kick ass! Well, at least according to a one satisfied customer and a bunch of Westender readers. We've won Best Sex Toy Shop again :) "by a LAND-SLIDE". Awww….shucks!

• We are excited to present our first annual BIO-Diversity Award to Womyns’Ware. We decided to establish the BIO-Diversity Award to recognize a business, organization or individual which has made an outstanding contribution to the SM and kink community.

Womyns’Ware is a very deserving recipient of the 2003 BIO-Diversity Award. The store was founded in 1995 with the ideal of being what the original two co-owners prefer to call “a women’s sexuality business as a political statement.” Right from the start Womyns’Ware has been Vancouver’s classy sex store, a place which offered only quality merchandise. They remain the foremost leader in their field not only here in Vancouver but across Canada.

Since that time Womyns’Ware has been there to support the local community. They’ve presented numerous local workshops, hosted Women Only play parties dubbed Muffs and Cuffs in the past, and offered sponsorship, merchandise for door prizes, and the loan of equipment to various groups. And along the way they established a reputation for themselves as the Ralph Nader of the sex toy industry, providing information in person, at their store and on the internet about the dangers and health risks of cheap toys.

Here at BIO we can report that Womyns’Ware was the first business to offer us their support. They loaned us their sling for our very first play party, and eventually donated it to us. They presented a workshop at our first BIO-Logical Conference in 2001. They’ve been supporters, sponsors and friends.

Congratulations to all the individuals who make Womyn'sWare the great success it is.

• Womyns'Ware provided a prop for the Vancouver-made short Out for Bubble Tea. Come and see our Goman's film debut at Out for Bubble Tea's premiere screening at Video In on October 30th at 8 p.m.

• We're so proud of our sale reps, as their fab personalities and rock solid customer support are turning them into radio celebrities. This morning Juice Box Radio tagged along for a little of the customer experience. Listen live. JUICE BOX RADIO: Every Wednesday night on CITR radio, 101.9 FM or tune in on the internet by going to www.ams.ubc.ca and clicking "Listen Live." To learn more about Juice Box visit www.juiceboxradio.com.

• The latest in the series of secret guides, Secret Vancouver, has hit the shelves and Womyns'Ware is in it! The secret guides are renowned for sniffing out the best haunts of a city so we're happy to be listed :) We're also mentioned in Vancouver: The Unknown City. Who knew?

•Happy International Women’s Day! See our feature in The Ubyssey’s Further Adventures in Feminism issue to see how “Womyns’Ware empowers local women”!

• A female condom? Yup, and we've been selling it for years! Click here for the International Women's Day radio segment where our Retail Manager gives the scoop on this unique contraceptive.

• We've got international presence! Aishti, a Lebanese lifestyle magazine, has recommended us as the place to shop for "dildos and vibrators….a woman's (second-best!) friend".

• Thanks for the nod, Sasha! Eye magazine's sex advice columnist described a Womyns'Ware exclusive, the Dam Right garter, as "groovy". Yeah, baby!

• We've been invited to Co-op Radio to give their listeners the goods on what's hot for Valentine's Day. Tune in at 8pm on February 12th to get the scoop!

• Did you hear? We kick ass! Well, at least according to a one satisfied customer and a bunch of Westender readers. We've won Best Sex Toy Shop again :) "by a LAND-SLIDE". Awww….shucks!

• Womyns'Ware provided a prop for the Vancouver-made short Out for Bubble Tea. Come and see our Goman's film debut at Out for Bubble Tea's premiere screening at Video In on October 30th at 8 p.m.

• Function v. Fashion! The Vancouver Sun asked our opinion on the new wave of designer sex toys, particularly the Gucci spanker, and we gave it. Our retail manager sums it up quite nicely: "Anything we bring into the store, we vet its suitability first. We're the Ralph Nader of sex toys."

• We did it.... again!! Thanks, Vancouver (and Lower Mainlanders) for voting us Best Sex Toy Store in The Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver issue for the SIXTH consecutive year! Yep, we're the ones with the "buzz about town and a lot of smiling customers." :) Congratulations also goes to The WetSpots, who won the title "Best adult entertainers".

• The Summer 2003 Vancouver Magazine's annual Shoppers Guide "Where the Buys Are" is out, following their in-depth research, and secret shopper visits to seven shopping neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Not only did Womyns'Ware make the cut for our neighbourhood (with 490 plus spots on the Drive, making the cut of seven top shops times seven shopping districts is something to crow about), we're especially pleased that the secret shoppers found our staff to be worthy of mention. "respectful staff ... will find just the thing to turn your crank." Way to go, gals!

• Now's your chance! Womyns'Ware was featured (alongside the star dildo) in a short film titled "Dildo Goes Home" by Vancouver director Lynne Kamm and it's showing at this year's Out on Screen Queer Film + Video Festival. Don't miss the exciting adventures of Dildo, who gets lost and tries to find his way back to the comforts of Womyns'Ware :)

• We popped by Co-op Radio to talk "vibes, silicone dills, lubes, latex" with the gals on The Lesbian Show. We chatted about everything Womyns'Ware and gave the listeners some tips on how to select the silicone that's right for you. We understand from the folks in the technical booth that the phone lines were lighting up through-out the show!

• We're featured in the May 2003 issue of Douglas College's student newspaper, the other press. We put the writer of the article at ease in our comfortable retail environment and assisted her with her first sex toy purchase. Read all about how easy it can be to choose your first vibe.

• A Vancouver ESL class had lots of fun visiting our store as one of their field trips to learn about "sex-- in English". They had soooo much fun that their instructor wrote an article about the experience for the Vancouver Courier. Read all about how Womyns'Ware broke down language barriers in the Wednesday, March 26, 2003 issue.

• We must be famous! Because a sure sign of fame has got to be that Womyns'Ware was ambushed into participating in a sex toy drama on tabloid television (City Pulse). We suppose we ought to be flattered, but seriously folks, our fear is that tabloid coverage stigmatizes sex toys, ignoring the serious issues in favour of fear mongering. In this case, by creating yet another unwarranted urban myth about sex toys gone bad. For the full story, see our essay.

• Pursuit magazine (Feb 2003 issue, p. 82)'s Inter-Courses article on the trend toward sexual seminar offerings, generously recognized Cass King of Womyns'Ware as "more of an expert than most". Thanks for introducing the idea of learning the "finer points of 'doing it'" to the masses, Pursuit.

• Sharing company with Bust and This Hour Has 22 Minutes' Babe Bennett and Marge Warrior Princess as flag bearers for The Debunker/Demystification "Are Feminists No Fun?", couldn't be more hilarious. That's Womyns'Ware in the Enroute article as the "funkiest and most feted sex shop in town" offering "a saucy retort to those who would depict us grrls as one big angry spinster's circle. "As the author says: "True, some of their fine merchandise could be seen as, um, replacing certain masculine virtues, but the store's mandate is explicitly sex positive ..."

• CBC Radio 3 came and interviewed us for a Valentine's Day segment on Sex With Yourself. We did a little walk around the shop to show them what toys we think are great for self-pleasuring (and partner play, but that's another story...) and debunked myths surrounding who plays with toys and why. Check out the interview online (let the page launch, then click on "Menage a Moi"!) Louis sums up the DIY (do it yourself) sex ethic: 'you know all the places to hit, you know the pace to go at, and you know exactly what's working.'

• We spoke with Pursuit, a national women's lifestyle magazine based in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) regarding our seminars. Seems word of our education-focused workshops reached their ears and they wanted to find out more on our unique approach to what is fast-becoming a back-door venue for sex toy sales. We explained about how we concentrate on consumer education and tailor each seminar toward the organization's focus, that we've been invited to host seminars for groups varying from sexual abuse survivors to medical practitioners, and that, unlike other "seminars", we make it a policy never to sell at these venues since we're there to inform and want the attendees to profit, not ourselves. No wonder we keep getting requests!

• You bet those are our exclusive toys on the front page of the Westender (Jan 23-29,2003) stacked behind the back of the Ken-doll look-a-like fellow from the fifties, surprising his Pearl necklace wearing, fashionable bob, happy housewife. Under the cover story "Give Her The Full Treatment", the journalist explains how sex toys can be just good wholesome fun, recommending our Clit Lane, Nimble Thimble, Butt Really..., Clit Berry and Hathor lube along the way. Whoopee!

• Our very own Cass King performed with The WetSpots ("Canada's favourite [musical] perverts") on CityTV's Breakfast Television as part of BT's "Everything To Do With Sex" show. Not only does she get credit for telling everyone what a wonderful company we are but also for waking before the crack of dawn (BT airs 6-9am!) and performing when most of us haven't even had our coffee ;) She got to rub shoulders with the best of 'em (namely Canada's favourite sex-educator, Sue Johanson) during rousing round-table sex talk in the BT Kitchen. Who says sex and salmon don't go together? Also see this story on Canada.com! Among the many highlights had to be when Michael Eckford described Womyns'Ware as 'world famous' and recounted a story about travelling abroad to find that people everywhere are associating Vancouver with Womyns'Ware!

• "Whether they vibrate, penetrate or 'lick', if sex toys are on your sweetie's holiday wish list and throwing up is not, consider yourselves warned: this week Josey's got the ultimate safety consumer guide ..." Of course, you know you can find her at mymessybedroom.com.

• We did it again! We've been voted Best Sex-Toy Store by The Georgia Straight's readers in their annual Best of Vancouver issue. The write-up says it all: "Why does Womyns'Ware always top this category (this year by a seven-to-one margin over second place)? Legions of satisfied customers." We've also been acknowledged under a separate category titled, "Best [guide] you don't want Mom to find". (Actually, we think she'd love to see it.... ;) SHAW TV stopped by the store to congratulate us on our win and ask us why we think we've done it again. Cass King, our Retail Manager, sums it up: "It means our customers are *really* happy." We're also happy to be a part of Commercial Drive, voted "Best Neighbourhood To Visit". Thanks again, Vancouver!

• You bet that's us in the July 2002 issue of Chatelaine magazine's *private life* story titled "Going all the way". In her column addressing taking your relationship's sexual pleasure to new heights, author Bonny Reichert wisely recommends Womyns'Ware as a place to surf and shop for courses, books and toys. We think that you should visit us for all of our other educational, consumer advocacy, advice and numerous additional features too lengthy to mention. Hey! Maybe that's a whole other column for Chatelaine to explore ;)

• Womyns'Ware is used as an example of an outstanding, principled corporate citizen in the Georgia Straight (Volume 36 Number 1796 May 23-30/2002, page 17) cover story "Attack of the Killer Sex Toys; what is city hall afraid of?

• My BC.com has a story on our appearance at the Everything To Do With Sex Show. Consumer rights activists or publicity hounds? As the only exhibitor not selling at the ETTDWS show, but instead establishing an information display contrasting unsafe products with their safe alternatives (we had an internet link and a video presentation research station). We staffed the booth with women ready to handle any of the questions thrown at them. If we get the word out, we don't care what you call us! Check out our booth!

• We were onsite at the Everything To Do With Sex Show held at the Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, BC during April 25-28, 2002 with an exhibit that warned consumers about unsafe sex toys that may be on sale by other exhibitors at the show. We added consumer choice to the options presented to attendees at the show as the premiere source of sexual products and quality information that places the consumer before the sale!

• Dr. Cheryl Fraser of CFUN Radio hosted a live broadcast of her show from the site of the Every Thing To Do About Sex show. She was generous enough to share the air waves with Womyns'Ware so that we could address the issue of unsafe sex toys and making healthier choices. Being even more gracious than we could imagine, she invited us back and she shared the air with us in a discussion on finding the right sex toy for you and the job you've got in mind. CKNW 980, News 1130, and CFML covered the unsafe sex toy issue too.

• CBC radio's "The Afternoon Show" broadcast an interview recorded live with Womyns'Ware Inc. at the ETDWSshow. Highlights of the interview included tips on how to know whether you're buying a quality sex toy and why you should avoid anything that's not.

• Plugged In! News on Channel 4 broadcast a story on our quality and healthy product stance. (Plugged In! is on the Shaw cable network.) Michelle Simick, a reporter with Plugged In! received a tour of Womyns'Ware Inc. and a rapid education tutorial regarding the issue of shoddy and unhealthy sexual products. We trust that she was pleased with what she saw and learned - the largest selection of quality sexual products for women in Canada and perhaps the world and the only sexual product retailer to eliminate poorly designed and unsafe products from its inventory! We reviewed the contrast between the silicone penetrative toys and the fragmenting, off-gassing jelly rubbers, with some close-up shots of the leeching toxins (YUCK), as well as some basic information like avoiding fermentable sugar flavoured lubes (which will cause yeast infection) and novelty-only glow in the dark condoms, and learning about the quality options. Other related TV spots aired on CKVU, Global, and Fairchild TV.

• Latest press, this time from April 18, 2002 No. 226 Issue of XtraWest, by Robin Perelle, on the ETTDWS Show.

• The Vancouver Courier had an article on the upcoming Everything About Sex show and our participation in it. Similar stories ran in the Vancouver Sun and the Province newspapers.

• We're famous and glad to be so in the Healthy Living section of Homemaker's Magazine April 2002 issue in the article "Not Tonight, Dear" by Marcia Kaye. We've come so far in women's magazine content when a writer can publish such a well researched, thoughtful and balanced article on the complexities of women's sexuality, recognizing that "we're not guys. We can become aroused without feeling the desire to act on it. We can stop lubricating even as we become more excited. We can experience desire and arousal but not necessarily have an orgasm. Even if we never have orgasms, we can still be satisfied with our sex life. And even if we're pretty sure we'll have an orgasm, we won't necessarily want to have sex." And then demonstrating that these differences and complexities don't mean that women's sexuality should be pathologized or labelled dysfunctional but rather offering the wise advice that "perfect sex is an unattainable goal, but fulfilling sex is worth pursuing." Look for Womyns'Ware in the body of the text and as one of a helpful list of Passion Primers that can make sex better. Read the article!

• The Westender's readers have voted us the best sex toy shop (especially flattering as we're located on Commercial Drive, East of and outstide of the West End!).

• Moxie.ca's column Adventures in Canadian Sex features a review of our Sex Toy Guide!

• Dr. Cheryl Fraser of local Vancouver talk radio station CFUN gave the Clit Lane Vibe a great review on her Friday, December 21, 2001 broadcast. She convinced her friends ("field researchers") to try the Clit Lane and they raved about it! She appreciated how helpful our staff are. She also stressed how comfortable a place we are to shop and how welcoming we are to male shoppers (especially those looking for Christmas gifts for their wives). She read 2 emails from her listeners: one a male who had followed her advice to check out the store and was writing to say he was very happy with how wonderful we are and another from a 17 yr. old female who was afraid she wouldn't be allowed in Womyns'Ware (to which Cheryl replied that she'd of course be welcome and it would be a great place to "start out"). She prefaced all of this by stating that we don't pay her to say these things-- she just loves the store. We stand for the same healthy, open sexual philosophy that she does. Wow! It's nice to be appreciated!

• November 28th, 2001 we disclosed many of the hidden secrets of the good, bad, and ugly sex toy trade aka our BuyerBe-Womyns'Ware feature on the consumer protection show 'Market Place' (aired Nationally on the CBC). For more, see our Buyer Be-Womyns'Ware page!

• Well, we're in a recent one of Cass King's (Organ Grinder) columns on International Month of the Dildo where a brief history of the dildo follows along with a well researched "scary truth" warning about the "shit-ware" that is found in so many mainstream shops. As Cass King so kindly says "The good news is that the dildo is here to stay, and there are conscientious retailers out there who won't carry the shit-ware. This is a 100% unsolicited endorsement: You should reward quality (and honour yourself) by purchasing your toys only at reputable dealers like Womyns'Ware, who have an excellent staff and an amazingly informative website. Look at it this way: You wouldn't buy a toothbrush at a low-rent sex shop. Why would you buy a dildo there? Hey, you might be frugal, but you're not cheap."

• For the fourth time, we've won Best Sex Toy Shop in The Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver contest. "As has happened every 'Best of' so far, Womyns'Ware vibrated into first place - this year with five times as many votes as second place. That's a lot of satisfied customers." We also received a nod in the Best Hardware Store category! Though we did come in far behind Home Depot and Home Hardware, some folks definitely have their priorities straight when it comes to home repairs :)

• The results are in! Our Butt Really... has placed in the top ten in the Sunday Night Sex Show's best of sex toy review! Here's what she says about it: “great toy, soft, short, flexible, can be boiled, people have become attached to it”! Other toys on the list include: Natural Contours vibes, the Water Dancer, the Rabbit Pearl. Recommended books include: Sex Toy Tricks, Anal Pleasure & Health, Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women, Ethical Slut.

• Momentum, the magazine for self-propelled people features Womyns'Ware Inc. in its April/May 2001 issue in its Springtime Bikelust Accessories column. Page 20 has a clever comparison of the similarity between our Womyns'Ware Inc. accessories and common bicycle accessories. And why not? Both sex and cycling are excellent cardiovascular endeavours.

• The Vancouver Sun recently quoted us in an article on porn for women. Read more about our stance on this issue.

• The travel writers at Gay.com took a trip to Vancouver and where did they stop to shop? Womyns'Ware! Check out staff member Otter!

• Sue Johanson, on her Sunday Night Sex Show, gave the Butt Really... an enthusiastic review during the Treasure Chest portion of the show. She said that it was an anal product that even novices could easily use. She praised its design based on what she calls the *KISS* principle - keep it simple, stupid - and demonstrated how easy it is to keep clean and how well it vibrates. Later on in the show, she detached the Mini Pearl component and recommended that vibe as a basic must-have for folks with no toys or those on a tight budget.

• Campus.ca interviewed co-owner Janna for an article on sex toys in November, 2000.

• Josey Vogels, Canada's own Sex Columnist, loves Womyns'Ware! Check out mymessybedroom.com (for the week of 17 November) and read her review of us. She loves the Strapper, the Butt Really... and our honest, straightforward advice! As she puts it, "One thing you can count on from Womyns'Ware-they don't sell crap."

• We are featured in the September 2000 issue of Flare magazine (the PDF file is large!)

• For the third time, we've won Best Sex Toy Shop in The Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver contest. We "rubbed voters the right way, ringing the bell five times as often as second place."

• We are featured in the Summer 2000 issue of BC Traveller! Check out the story on Commercial Drive

• The August 2000 issue of the loop features an interview with Madame Bibelot, the woman who crafts our Eggstasy Pouch, Thighrider harness, Rider furniture harness, Harness Cuff and Swing Sling.

• Xtra.ca just did a cute article in their June 15 issue of XtraWest that mentions us.

• We are featured in the March 3, 2000 issue of the Ubyssey Women's Issue. Here is the story, in PDF format.

• The Womyns'Ware shop was featured in the full-length "Things We Do For Love" documentary on the Life Network. The segment followed a couple as they went on a shopping trip to Womyns'Ware Inc. and selected a toy to use together. They then went to their home, then out to the park for a stroll with their dog while they discussed why they accessorize their sexual activity with sex toys and how that enhances their relationship. It first aired in January 2000 and has repeated many times since.

• Once again, Womyns'Ware has been voted the best sex toy store in Vancouver by The Georgia Straight

• BC Woman featured us in a story on the joys of sex toys in November 1999.

• Womyns'Ware provided lots of "props" (sex toys, silly!) for the film Better Than Chocolate (now available on video).

• The August 28, 1999 issue of the National Post gave a great profile of us in an article on the interesting shops of Commercial Drive. Here is a PDF version of the story.

• The August 9, 1999, issue of Maclean's mentioned Womyns'Ware in an article entitled Sex and Marriage. Here is a PDF version of the article.

• The July 17, 1999, edition of the Globe and Mail featured a profile of Janna's career change from tax attorney to co-owner of a sex toy store. Here is the story, in PDF format.

• The June 99 issue of Flare magazine had some nice things to say about us on page 72, in the Sex Education column.

• We were interviewed for a feature entitled (ironically) "Toys in Babeland" in the March 1999 issue of Chatelaine. Here is a PDF version of the story.

• Reuters did a little number on us, which they distributed to all their affiliates.

• On February 21st, 1999, we were mentioned by name on the TV program Sex On Sunday Night with Sue Johansen. She recommended our Sex Toy Guide as the best print [guide] that she'd every seen. Get your own copy!

• We got an entry on page 138 of The Woman's Guide to Sex on the Web, a book by Anne Semans and Cathy Winks (the gals who wrote The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex). Check out Anne and Cathy's web site!

• The November 1998 issue of Womonspace had nice things to say about our shop.

• The August 20, 1998 edition of the Globe and Mail featured a story about our wonderful store.

• The Summer 1997 issue of Herizons featured a profile of Janna, Otter and the store.

• We participated in a story with the University of BC student press. It covers our philosophy and pride in feminism well.
For even more, please see our Press Kit. Yup! Don't take our word for it – read, watch and listen to what others have to say. We've got video clips; radio broadcasts; newspaper coverage; pictures on the glossy pages of national magazines. There's candid product reviews and very candid customer testimonials. There's awards and accolades; outright raves about our products and outrage about dangerous, unhealthy competitor's products! There's tales of rekindled romance; steamy encounters and torrid affairs.

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