Copenhagen’s Blue Money Porn Shop to Close

COPENHAGEN—Blue Money, a storied if sleazy store that is purported to be the world’s oldest porn shop in the world, is slated to close March 31. Though the story is getting prominent coverage in the Danish media, few English media outlets have carried the news as yet.

AVN learned about the closure from Nicolas Barbano, a Danish critic, journalist, producer and sometime director.

“[Blue Money] is located on an extremely busy main street right in the centre of Copenhagen, with a porn-themed façade and huge window displays that leave nothing to the imagination. It’s hard to imagine a better located, more noticeable adult shop,” Barbano told AVN, adding that it contains an “endless selection of very kinky hardcore videos, books and magazines, plus a smaller selection of bondage equipment.”

Barbano said the reason for the shop closing is said to be diminishing sales, as more and more people are buying porn online.

Is this the end of an era, he asks, rhetorically. Indeed, it is, though one hopes that somehow, someone will ride to the rescue before the doors close for good.

According to the Copenhagen Post, the shop has been open for 45 years, since 1964, and at its Vesterbrogade street location since 1972. Owner Jesper Strauss, who inherited the shop from his father, said the internet did not affect on the shop’s fortunes as much as the recession, increasing shop rents and a proliferation of bicycle lanes.

"When porn became easily accessible we changed the company profile so that we specialised in more unique interests. … Even though you can get this on the internet many people won’t use their home computer for it. They’re afraid of viruses, spam and, most of all, the wife finding it,’ Strauss said.

Recently, however, Strauss said, "Customers can’t park anywhere since they built bike lanes everywhere and the effects of the recession can really be felt. You can’t skimp on milk and bread, but you can save on porn during times of crisis."

Strauss told the paper he has suggested that the National Museum preserve part of the store, similar to when a display was created using a hash stand from Christiania, but has not heard back yet regarding the proposal.

The shop’s inventory will be on sale at a 60 percent discount until it closes March 31.

(Regarding the facetious subhead, the rumour of a death knell for the world’s oldest profession is clearly exaggerated. As realistic and engaging as online porn has gotten, nothing in the world can or will ever beat the real thing.)