Canadian Retailer Priape Closes, Blames Popper Restrictions

TORONTO — Priape's four gay retail stores across Canada closed their doors this week after its ownership filed for bankruptcy protection listing $687,000 in debts owed to 106 companies.

The closing of Priape’s four stores in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver may have been predicated by a warning earlier this year by Health Canada, which issued a warning to retailers to stop selling and distributing alkyl nitrites or, as they are more commonly known, “poppers.”

The warning came in June, just before the Pride season, and sales at Priape later tanked, according to Denis Leblanc, Priape Inc.'s general manager.

“[Poppers] represented a huge amount of sales and profit, so that’s what triggered it all,” Leblanc told Daily Xtra. “It’s not so much percentage of sales, but the gross profit it brought in, and proportionately it was very significant.”

Although poppers are not considered a narcotic in Canada, and possession of alkyl nitrates is not illegal, they are considered a drug, and their sale is regulated by Canada's Food and Drug Act. In nearly all cases, they are labeled as leather cleaners, room odorizers or liquid incense.

In the case of Priape, Health Canada said its Montreal shop was selling poppers under the labels Magnum, Jungle Juice Platinum, Boot Cleaner, Z-Best, Man Scent, Nitro Supra, Blue Boy, White Box, Pig Sweat, Jungle Juice Black Label, Jungle Juice Plus and Real Rocherfort.

Health Canada says unauthorized sales of the drug can be punished with jail terms of up to three years and fines of up to $5,000.

Priape's Montreal store was the first to open in 1974, later expanding to Toronto in 1998, Calgary in 2004 and Vancouver in 2005. The shops sold DVDs, books, clothing, leather, sex toys and other products that appeal to gay consumers.

Priape also operates ManWear, which designs and sells T-shirts, tank tops, jeans and accessories, and a retail website. The company also is also a minority investor in Maleflixxx Television, a Canadian subscription cable channel offering gay porn programming.

Priape, which had about 60 employees, has been under bankruptcy protection since late June.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Siri Dahl and Friends to Host 2nd 'Corn Telethon'

Siri Dahl will host the second 12-hour "Corn Telethon" livestream with several of her friends from inside and outside the industry on Thursday, Sept. 4.

B-Vibe Spotlighted on Reviewed.com

B-Vibe has been featured in a Reviewed.com round-up of top-rated anal toys by writer Ryan Yates.

Keiran Lee Gets Star Send-Off from Brazzers Ahead of UK Homecoming

Keiran Lee is coming home. Two decades after moving from England to the United States to sign an exclusive contract with Brazzers, the award-winning performer is moving back to the U.K. this week along with his wife, fellow performer Kirsten Price, and their three children.

Orion Debuts New Style From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale has added a new style from its Cottelli lingerie line.

Lady Dee Stars in Latest From Immoral

Lady Dee stars with Paul Stalker and Charlie Dean in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions.

Adult Time Drops 'Busting Porn Myths Vol. 1' Informational Video

Adult Time has released the first volume of its new Performer Center series, “Busting Porn Myths.”

Octavia Red Stars in Final Episode of Bree Mills' 'Escape From Camp Conversion' From Adult Time

Octavia Red stars in the final episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from Adult Time studio brand Girlcore.

Octokuro Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octokuro has made her Vampired debut alongside Sata Jones in “Vampirella Unleashed.”

The Cowgirl Debuts 'Saddle' Sex Machine

Cowgirl has introduced its new Saddle sex machine with attachments.

XR Brands Releases 'Jock Enhancers' Collection

XR Brands has introduced its new Jock Enhancers line.

Show More