Business & Tech

50 Shades of Downers Grove: Adult Boutique Opens on Ogden Avenue

Teresa's Boutique owner Teresa Lester says she hopes to attract women and couples with her selection of lingerie and adult novelties.

A new adult novelty shop recently opened for business in Downers Grove.

Teresa's Boutique, 652 Ogden Ave., opened its doors last month next to the Sybaris. The store sells everything from lingerie and body lotions to sex toys and the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy.

Owner Teresa Lester said the store is designed for men and women alike.

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"I wanted a place where women would feel comfortable, but I also wanted men to be able to come in here and buy something for their wives or girlfriends," Lester said.

Lester, a Brookfield resident, said she was attracted to her Ogden Avenue location because of its proximity to the Sybaris, a couples-only hotel that boasts its romantic pool suites.

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"I've been in the industry for 16 years, but this is the first time I've gone into retail, so I wanted the perfect location," Lester said. "The Sybaris has been in the area for a long time, so I thought it would be a great place to open a boutique for couples."

Although the 18-and-over store carries a wide variety of lingerie and novelties, customers won't find any adult films, Lester said.

"I'm not carrying anything lewd or pornographic," Lester said. "I really just wanted a place where men and women would feel comfortable buying lingerie or products that enhance their experience."

Lester also hopes to capitalize on the popularity of the best-selling erotic trilogy 50 Shades of Grey, which she says has "completely changed" the adult novelty industry. Teresa's boutique not only carries all three novels, but several products inspired by the story.

"After the 50 Shades series came out, more people were curious about bondage and things like that, so there was a huge increase in demand for those types of products," she said.

Despite the boutique's racy products, the feedback from customers and the village of Downers Grove has been mostly positive, Lester said.

However, there have been a few complaints.

The store's window display, which features lingerie-clad mannequins, has drawn the ire of a few residents, as has an ad in a local newspaper that promoted several of its products, including male enhancement pills.

Lester said she was surprised by the feedback, particularly because Downers Grove already has a Lover's Lane, which opened at 1640 75th St. in 2005.

"To me, this is all part of everyday life, so some of the complaints did catch me a little off guard," Lester said. "I try to do everything as tasteful as possible without offending anyone."

Lester said she is gearing up for the busy Valentine's Day season, as well as a spring full of bachelorette parties.

The boutique will host a Ladies Night on Feb. 9, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Those interested in attending should RSVP by calling 630-324-6310.

Lester said she hopes residents will give the store a chance before labeling it as offensive or inappropriate.

"I realize how some people might view the store and that the subject matter might make people embarrassed, but my goal is just to make people feel comfortable shopping for themselves or their partner," she said.

Teresa's Boutique is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit the store's Facebook page.

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