Photography by Jamie Beck
Words by Katie Stolowitz

I find it somewhat ironic – slash – poetic – slash – cliché that I was asked to profile a sex shop for my first Working Class contribution. Not only was I weary of the hackneyed Carrie Bradshaw comparisons, but I also did not know if I was the right person for the job. Although I rationalize my current sleep alone status with the fact that my efforts have focused on supporting myself in this city, truth be told, I never have been the girl to openly discuss my sex life (or, during recent months, lack there of).  Brunch conversations always make me a bit uneasy when talk turns to anal regions and/or package size. For better or worse, I’m not quite the sex-and-tell type of girl.

But it is this hesitancy, and the vulnerability I feel when walking into a shop with vibrators or looking up kama sutra classes online, that doesn’t make me an oddity at Shag, but rather, the ideal clientele.

Located on the corner of N. 6th Street and Roebling, the space itself screams Williamsburg. The ambiance far more characteristic to an enviable living room than a stereotypical porn shop.  The inventory too strays from the norm; while the dildos, vibrators, and condom-surprise gumball machine might be expected in a store named Shag, the hand crafted jewelry, wallets, and Gatsby-esque headwear could easily be found in Uptown Manhattan.  However at Shag, local artists create all the unique pieces, a point that the owners greatly esteem. (Samantha Bard herself is a sculptor.)

The sex-shop subtlety was a conscious decision. Bard and Ashley Montgomery Pulido opened their self-described “sexy” store in an attempt to make sex “accessible” and elimiate the sexual vulnerability that many feel.

“We wanted to create a space where people can open up, where people can come and be themselves without feeling like they’re doing something wrong.”

Despite the liberal and openness characteristic to Williamsburg, “there still exists a narrow view that pornography is a shameful thing.”  Their new store, with a studio downstairs for events such as Cast-a-Partner and Erotic Writing workshops, hopes to help eliminate the stigma.

Perhaps the Wall Street types and/or Tiger Woods  might not yet be ready to openly discuss hardcore bondage, but they will enjoy the delicately croqueted fetishware found at Shag.  The store understands the fact that although there may be different routes to sexual openness, we all want to enjoy the ride (pun intended) while we get there.

And those who’ve already achieved sexual freedom will too love Shag. I reference the first customer to walk in the doors a couple months ago.

Cheers to her unapologetic beeline to the vibrating clitoris rings.  May it one day be possible for all.