Camilla Lombard, Good Vibrations’ event and publicity manager, told XBIZ that hundreds of well-wishers arrived, enjoyed drinks and hors d’ouevres and posed in the event’s photo station, while staff sexologist Dr. Carol Queen honored founder Joani Blank, along with COO Jackie Strano and President Joel Kaminski.
In honoring Blank, the grand opening built upon her recent induction into the AVN Hall of Fame as a legend of the adult entertainment industry.
“For her pioneering commitment to women's pleasure (and pleasure products), Joani, who founded Good Vibrations in 1977, received richly deserved recognition as an adult industry visionary,” Lombard said.
“Joani said a few words and then COO Jackie Strano acknowledged Joel, Carol, our vendors, staff and loyal customers who made it all possible. As one of the original members of Good Vibrations (back when it was a coop!) Jackie was deeply moved by the positive direction of the company and got a little choked up. It was sweet.”
The event was attended by several notable individuals both within the adult industry and mainstream, including Nina Hartley, Jiz Lee, Mark Morford, Sailor Ripley from Fleshbot, Carolyne Zinko from San Francisco Chronicle, sex educators Celeste Hirschman, Robert Lawrence, Cleo Dubois, Eve Minax, Allison Moon and Sara Vibes.
Representatives from LELO, Vibratex, Blossom Organics, CalExotics, Pipedream Products, Cleis Press, Glyde America, Sir Richards Condoms, Tantus, Liberator and Stockroom, among others, also attended the festivities.
Guests has the chance to win raffles with prizes that included three large gift baskets from Digital Playground, toys from Good Vibes’ own line, as well as NJoy, Liberator, Pink Lube (Empowered), Tenga, Screaming O and Stockroom.
The store, the fifth chain-wide, occupies more than 3,000 square feet and soft-launched just before Christmas, Lombard said.
“We’re happy to sound the trumpets with the event on Saturday night,” she said. “So far business has been brisk and many people have been delighted with the central location.
“People are really grateful that they can go to Good Vibrations when they are downtown. Its proximity to BART and the downtown shopping district is fabulously convenient. One woman came in the store, dropped her two big Bloomingdale's bags and exclaimed, ‘thank God — you're so close!’”
Lombard added that Good Vibes’ first Mommy's Playdate at the new store will be held on Feb. 7 and customers will be invited to enjoy Customer Appreciation nights on the weekend prior to Valentine's Day, offering complimentary chocolates, wine and personal shoppers.
To view a video of the event shot by Reid Milhako, click here.
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