Sensual products penetrate local stores for cupid's day

Cupid's carnal arrows are penetrating local stores with a quiver full of sexual products.

Wild Card, 346 E. College Ave., stocked up on edible favorites such as flavored Whipped Creme, tropical island oil, mango-orange moisturizing lotion and glow-in-the-dark finger paints.

The various body paints are the best sellers, said Brian Jara, manager of Wild Card.

"(The customers) must like using them and they must eat them too, or they wouldn't sell as well," Jara said.

Sexual Trivia, Dirty Minds and other diversions aimed at couples are also popular items, he said.

"Sales increase quite a bit since we carry a handful of games geared more toward couples," Jara said. "So naturally they'll sell more during this time of year."

Perry Shafran (graduate-meteorology) was looking for something for his friend other than flowers and candy last Saturday. He decided to try Uncle Eli's, 129 E. Beaver Ave., as his Valentine's Day destination. His eyes slowly skimmed the section of handcuffs, body paints and oils.

"I never bought anything like this before," he chuckled.

His friend would probably like an adult-theme gift for Valentine's Day, he said.

"She has a good sense of humor and she might like something like this, but nothing too outrageous," he explained.

After scanning the selection, however, Shafran opted not to purchase one of the naughty gifts. Instead, he chose some more traditional gifts.

Adult merchandise is not very popular, Uncle Eli's sales associate Brian Aruti said.

"(Adult gifts) are a slow seller in this store -- the novelty has worn thin," he said.

Uncle Eli's received new merchandise for Valentine's Day such as furry love cuffs, body paints, massage oils, lover's first aid kits and flavored whipped cream in a can, sales associate Michael Tribone said.

The shop's adult closet features several phallic items, such as penis pasta, a giant inflatable penis and miniature statues with giant penises protruding from them.

Other stores offer alternative products for couples.

Goodbody's Natural Bath & Body Shop, 114 S. Allen St., is featuring Kama Sutra merchandise for lovers. Anne Leonard, store spokesperson, said anything from the collection is a good seller.

"It's a novelty -- not only is it functional and 100 percent natural -- it's fun," she said.

The collection contains a feather duster and honey body dust set, pleasure balm, edible shower gel, massage oil and more. Leonard said the Weekender Kit is the most popular item from the assortment. It features oil of love, pleasure balm, mint tree gel, wild clove bathing gel and honey dust.

Aside from the Kama Sutra products, edible mango-melon love potion is also available.

"If licked off, it becomes warm and cool on the skin," Leonard explained.