Rachel Venning & Claire Cavanah
Claire Cavanah and Rachel Venning, co-founders of Babeland, opened their first store in Seattle in 1993. Back then, they didn’t imagine their business, previously called Toys in Babeland, would grow into the success it is today. Says Cavanah, “We knew we were onto something, but we couldn’t have predicted how wide a range of customers would come through the doors.” More than just sex toys, Babeland offers sexuality workshops and well-designed spaces for women to shop. In addition to Babeland in Seattle, there are three locations in New York City, including their newest store in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which opened in 2008. Cavanah says women-friendly sex stores are still important, “Women need a place to go where they can think and talk about what sexuality is to them, to be open about what turns them on and to get products that can help them explore their orgasmic potential.” -CB
Remember, these are in no particular order because we love them all!
