OAKLAND, Calif.—The Root, an African-American online culture magazine, profiled Oakland-based queer-owned and black retailer, Feelmore Adult Gallery, in a video.
In the video, Feelmore founder Nenna Joiner says she started Feelmore after getting up from a dream where they bought 100 porn films and other adult items such as vibrators and began selling them out of the trunk of their Toyota Camry around Oakland.
As Feelmore’s customer base is both old and young, they mention a Latina grandmother that occasionally comes in for her grandson.
“I think, with a sex store, everybody is the right customer," she says.
Joiner says that it took them about seven years from the concept to the store because no one wanted them to open. The barriers to entry were high and the money necessary had to come from their own pocket except for a small loan from Joani Blank that was quickly repaid.
“Being a person of color, I understand what it means to go into spaces to shop and to be followed around," Joiner says. "We talk about a balance in our space.”
She adds, “A lot of people are very afraid to experience their bodies. And I think, for us, we definitely make sure that we send people home with this creative idea that sex is really sculpted by you, no one else.”
To view the video, click here.
For more on Feelmore, visit Feelmore510.com.
