Shop Talk

SE Store Chain Profile by Larry Kaplan There’s a world of difference between banking and erotic retail, but the transition from one to the other has transformed the life of Loretta Goodling of the Excitement store chain. (Note: This story appears in the February 2024 issue of SE Magazine)  Fifteen years ago, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native Loretta Goodling had achieved the title of...

SE Store Chain Profile by Larry Kaplan Adam Hedrick, District Manager for Excitement Superstores, is as committed to the success of their seven current locations as one might imagine any manager being. Here, Hedrick explain exactly what drives him and what provides the Excitement stores with their unique identity. (Note: This story appears in the February 2024 issue of SE Magazine)  Adam...

SE Store Chain Profile by Larry Kaplan (Note: This story appears in the February 2024 issue of SE Magazine)  It started with vinyl records. It evolved to smoke products. And eventually, David Betesh moved into adult products and became one of the most successful store owners in the Keystone State. Betesh grew up in the retail industry; his parents owned a Philadelphia...

The humble Red Garter storefront shares its glittering 60-year history, which has served patrons of great fame including one Elvis Aaron Presley. (Note: This story appears in the December 2023 issue of SE Magazine)  Red Garter is a family-run adult store with a lot of history, according to Brett Westley, who co-owns the store with his mother, Roz Westley. Back in...

Gay kink supplier Fort Troff partners with major manufacturer Doc Johnson to deliver kinkster-designed kink toys all across the US. (Note: This story appears in the October 2023 issue of SE Magazine)  For seven years, the whisper of a dimly-lit dungeon was reported across forums and between friends as a sure place gay men could meet and play. Word got out...

In partnership with Versea Health, Doc Johnson is proud to present what they believe to be an entirely new segment in adult retail. (Note: This story appears in the October 2023 issue of SE Magazine)  T oothpaste, toilet paper and a pregnancy test. Or, rather, pretzels, cigarettes and a female contraceptive. It doesn’t really make any sense, does it? Walking down a drug...

Small business owner turned store chain pioneer is honored by his industry at the July SE Awards presentation in Burbank at ANME. (Note: This story appears in the October 2023 issue of SE Magazine)  SE Awards story by Larry Kaplan In February 1971, two years after graduating from Ohio State University, Michael Moran wanted to establish a steady income and utilized one of his parents'...

(Note: This story appears in the August 2023 issue of SE Magazine)  Nixie Elixir — who began as a window model and is now the store’s Operations Manager — is a cheerleader for a new school of uber-friendly punk weirdo goth kids. Noir Leather Operations Manager Nixie Elixir was a professional dog handler, trained in differentiating dog breeds — how, for...

(Note: This story appears in the August 2023 issue of SE Magazine)  Noir Leather’s Bijou Fatale explains how being your most authenitc, weird, rowdy self could be the fastest route to helping people. Noir Leather GM Bijou Fatale is definitely a small-town girl who has done well in causing a pleasant ruckus in the bigger city. Fatale grew up in the...