I was looking for adult products, and a Google search showed Rick's Toy Box a few miles away. It was Sunday, and I was worried that it might be closed. I was happy to find they open at 10 am every day. I read the reviews on Yelp before I went, so my hopes were none too high. The facade was drab and unimpressive and I wondered whether even my modest expectations were too high. Still, there was nothing that alarmed me, the space felt open and safe, so I ventured onward. The store, oddly enough, is entered from the second floor, though the entire building is theirs. I climbed the steep stairs, and finally entered the store itself.
The reviews I'd read were either woefully out of date, or just somebody with a bone to pick. My impression was of a well-lit and incredibly well-stocked store. The attendant greeted me immediately, and requested my ID. This should be something you expect and bear with good humor. The sign at the entrance clearly advises you that everyone will be required to give ID. I'm a sixty year old man, and being carded at all these days is a delight. In any case, I also felt like this added a certain sachet of reputability to the store. I like to think that having to show an ID puts people on their best behavior.
The attendant was helpful and knowledgeable. I felt comfortable in stating explicitly what I was looking for, and she helped me select a new lubricant that was hypoallergenic. I decided upon two different brands, 1oz of "Pjur Original," and 2ox "Swiss Navy." The prices were acceptable to me - I can find them cheaper on Amazon, but I would; a.) have to buy larger quantities b.) have to put up with Amazon recommending things based on that purchase c.) known what I was looking for.
It's always cheaper online, folks. But, a store is where you find things you didn't know existed, and now need. Buy local, if you want to keep alive the experience.
After I'd found what I'd come for, I spent some time looking through the store. The place is densely packed, with tall metal racks forming corridors and walls around the perimeter. They are, however, not easily lost in. It's not so large a place that you can get lost without a large quantity of alcohol aforehand.
I can't give you a good idea of the stock - there's just too much. Broadly speaking, they have a nice selection of games; drinking games, sex games, strategy games with adult themes. If you're looking for an icebreaker for a party, you could do worse than pulling out "Making Bad Situations Worse," a card game that looks to be an adult variant of Cards Against Humanity. If not that, there are upwards of 40 to 50 to choose from.
Other things: a selection of novelty items for parties (my favorite being, "Pin the Pistol on the Cowboy." All manner of hygiene products. Pole Kits for Dancing, and all the erotic wear you may need for said activity. Butt plugs for everybody. A selection of candy that I would not give to children.
As you'll recall, you go up to the second floor to enter the building. I found that downstairs hosted an enormous video selection. Thirty-five thousand DVD's. Even a clearance section for cheap discs. I saw prices that ranged from $1.99 to $49. The gay section alone had at least a thousand different movies to choose from, and the gay section took up a tiny section compared to the whole. I think that, whatever your personal preference is for, you'll find something to take home to provide hours of entertainment. read more