Yes I have gone alone. Last minute toy or outfit for a special night or quick last minute bridal shower. Some gag gift whatever.

Our main store use to be between towns. It was a shabby isolated location however you could see the parking lot or most of it from the highway.

Now our main store is considerably more public. Busy business area though the actual street it is on gets used more for traveling betwixt businesses then for the stores on them.

Though the windows have all be covered. The parkinglot is fairly open and opens street side.

The lack of privacy may or may not be why I don’t use it more. I think price selection and the slightly odd staff are more pertinent.

I also go with other people too. Women for prank gifts and bridal showers. Men because I am helping one of my friends shop for something special for his girl as a surprise, somewhat rare but does occur, or for our own pleasure.

I’ve gone alone, with a friend, and with an SO in the past. No matter what, I try to pick a place that isn’t quite so seedy…there are a couple of decent places near-ish to me, so I’m lucky I guess!

How necessary is it to go to a specialized store these days? It seems (at least from TV advertising) that ‘aids” are getting to be far more available in mainstream stores.

But then, I’m male, and haven’t been in the market for female devices….

I go to a local lingerie shop that has the secret fun room. lol
No problem, no embarrassment.

My area has a woman-centric store called “Good Vibrations” (not affiliated). It is clean and the staff is professional. You can inquire about any of the products in much the same way as you would ask for assistance with shoes or jewelry or whatever in other kinds of stores. It is on a busy main street of a “classy” neighborhood, but the entrance is in the back. I think that places like this one make it comfortable for many women who would otherwise by put off by some other places. (Men are welcome there, too.)

I have bought sex toys for myself online and in shops.

I have also bought stuff online and in person. As it happens, I was alone for the store visit, but had I had a friend, it would have been fine (and fun).

A dear friend of mine operates a sex shop, and she is who I go to for advice. I shop at The Todd, which is near-ish my house and has been in business for forever.

One of my town’s seedier stores (used to have sticky-floored viewing booths), has re-branded itself as “Lover’s Paradise”. They installed back lot parking and markets to women now!

I had no idea.

It’s merchandised like a boutique and very female friendly. They always have one male and one female cashier… When I go in, there are always more women than men (just browsing the dildos, whips, clamps and plugs and it’s no more awkward than shopping for a bra.

Can I get an “amen!”?

It should be no different than buying a snow shovel or white cotton socks.