A racy new shop in Flatlands has parents worried that their kids might learn about the birds and the bees before the ABCs.
A sex-toy and smoke shop — appropriately named Sexy Wonders — recently opened down the block from the Flatlands branch of the Brooklyn Public Library on Avenue P and Flatbush Avenue, and residents and elected officials are calling for a modest makeover for the store’s risque window displays.
One local said she doesn’t mind that the store is in the neighborhood, but she also doesn’t think it should be close to library that children frequent.
“It is not so much the store, but the location is inappropriate — it is right next to the library!” said Suhan Ramos, who lives in Marine Park. “Kids are walking by all day long.”
The store is more than 500 feet away from the library, so the location is legal — but residents are still uneasy about the adult-oriented storefront being on the same block as the book bastion.
The store’s window display features photographs of scantily-clad women, bondage tape, adult toys, and an array of male enhancement pills like Black Panther, Night Bullet, and Xplode. The more innocuous items in the display include bachelorette party supplies, which feature a shirtless cartoon cowboy in chaps. Condoms and rose petals line the bottom of the display case.
Elected officials say they are trying to work with the owners of the store, which boarders Flatbush and Marine Park, to make the window display more appropriate for the neighborhood.
“Flatbush Avenue is a street our youth walk down every day to visit the library, which hosts a number of after-school programs and daytime toddler events,” said councilmen Alan Maisel (D–Marine Park) and Jumaane Williams (D–Flatlands) in a joint statement last month. “While the establishment is within their legal right to conduct business, it is our hope that the owner is sensitive to the children and families that will pass by their windows every day.”
A spokesman for Williams confirmed that a meeting with the owners will take place soon — but until then, the councilmen said that it is up to parents to protect their youngsters from the daring display.
“For now, parents should be mindful of the establishment to ensure their children are not exposed to themes they do not find appropriate,” the duo said.
A Sexy Wonders employee declined to comment.
