29-05-2025
Uptown sex shop says it's 'dangerously close' to closing 'forever'
Uptown sex shop says it's 'dangerously close' to closing 'forever' originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
The future of sex-positive sex shop The Smitten Kitten is in limbo.
On Wednesday, the Lyn-Lake store sent out a newsletter sounding the alarm. "This week we came to the conclusion that we are dangerously close to shutting our doors forever," the newsletter reads.
"Local product based businesses like Smitten Kitten are going up against Big Box stores, tariffs, and the constant struggle and vilification of being queer sex educators under fascism in 2025," the shop continued.
While Smitten Kitten is a sex shop selling books, sex toys, and other products, it's also a community space. It offers inclusive, sex-positive classes, discussions, and social gatherings that have helped many in the community build connections.
In Wednesday's newsletter, the shop announced a sale that will run on Thursday and Friday as part of an effort to keep the lights on. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
"Smitten Kitten is more than just a s*x store, we are a safe place to explore, learn and find community in each other through our collective and individual struggles," the newsletter concludes. "Whether that's coming out, transitioning, cancer, sexual trauma, etc. We want to continue to serve our customers and community for as long as we possibly can."
It's assumed that the business' mention of "fascism" is a reference to the second Trump administration, the rise of which has been characterized partially by attacks on sex education and targeting of the LGTBQ community.
The administration has taken a series of steps since Trump returned to office that have hallmarks of authoritarianism, autocracy, and right-wing populism, including the suppression of certain political speech, the targeting of immigrant communities, and the minimization of the legislature and judiciary. But the claim from the left that his regime is fascist is the subject of ongoing debate even though the policies listed above tend to feature in fascist story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
