business 411 by david vera
Pleasures And Treasures
and he fell in love with the city immediately. Then ten
years ago he met his partner Tim. “He’s the one who
prompted me to make this giant step into opening
the business,” Bill said of Tim. “We’re business partners
as well as domestic partners. I got disappointed with
another shop here in town for which I was working
part-time. The guy in charge just didn’t know what
Bill Freyer
he was doing. I told Tim how disappointed I was
that I had to quit, because I really liked the job. And
Anyone with a pulse has surely gotten the urge he asked, ‘Well how much would it cost to open up a
to spice up his or her bedroom atmosphere. It’s a place of our own?’ Just on a fluke, we stopped across
healthy need that shouldn’t go unsatisfied. For those the street at Albertsons to pick up some groceries
of us looking for a sanctuary of sex-positive wisdom and saw a ‘for rent’ sign in front of this old house.
with a lining of refinement, Bill Freyer and Tim I thought, ‘THAT has some charm.’ We called the
Melodick proudly announce their third year of own- landlord and he was a little hesitant when we told
ing and operating University Avenue’s, Pleasures him what kind of place it was going to be. But I told
and Treasures. Celebrating the shop’s birthday on him, ‘it’s not going to be a full-scale adult shop. It’s
June 15th, the knowledgeable staff members have actually going to be retail with just one room that’s
earned the community’s trust with a staggeringly devoted to the adult industry.’ We actually wanted it In order to stay on top of their community’s cus-
wide selection that caters to even the most special of to be a boutique for adults.” Strictly-online shoppers tomized wants and needs, Bill and Tim get the inside
needs. From paraben-free lubricants to a convenient might want to consider making a first-hand visit to scoop on the hottest new products at Adult-Con
sling set rental service, owner Bill Freyer explains the the shop. “One customer described our place to a held in Las Vegas—the largest adult convention in
importance of customer sensitivity. friend of his, ‘Pleasures and Treasures is an adult store the nation.
“My partner and I both believe that you cannot with class and kink.’ I liked that!” “It’s a great place to see what’s just coming out,”
just open a door and sell stuff. You have to be part of One of the P&T’s signature features is its rental added Bill. “We have access to most items found
the community. The leather community is one of our service for portable sling frames. The package breaks on the web, and we can special order these for our
main supporters, but we’ve also got a ton of other down into a canvas bag that’s discreet and easy to customers. It’s a service we love to provide.”
people from both gay and straight areas of town. carry around.
We’re educational too. When you go into a shop and “It weighs 60 pounds total,” explained Bill. “We have Pleasures and Treasures
ask the person behind the register, ‘I’m interested in cloth slings that we wash and sanitize. We make sure 2228 university avenue in north Park
this. Can you tell me what it is or how it works?’ Most everything’s totally germ-free before it goes out the Phone: 619.822.4280
of the time, they’re just a cashier—they have no clue door. It’s great because not everybody has the room,
www.pleasuresandtreasures.biz
what’s on the floor, how to describe it, how to use it. or even the money to buy a sling set. The big thing: HOurs OF OPeraTIOn:
Here, if you ask a question, you’re going to get the it goes up in eight minutes on a novice’s first try. • Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: Noon to 11:00 p.m.
answer. There’s not one thing in this entire store that After that it’s five minutes. I’ve actually taken mine • Friday and Saturday: Noon to Midnight
our employees can’t explain.” camping and on cruise ships. Just stand the beds up • Sunday: Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Bill moved here from Virginia almost 30 years ago against the wall (Laughter). • Closed Tuesdays
36 RAGE monthly | June 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104