Your friendly, neighborhood, family-owned sex shop
By Jeff Renfro
When assigned to a "random adventure" I was confronted with some obvious logistical problems.
First, who uses a phone book anymore? It took an entire day to find one before I finally used the book at the info desk in Benson. I decided to stack the deck in my favor by turning directly to the "Adult Entertainment" section.
Letting my fingers do the walking, I discovered Y Not Enterprises, San Jose's "family-owned adult novelty/video store."
Family-owned? That tagline was too good to pass up.
Thinking there would be safety in numbers, I asked my friends to accompany me on my mission. There are few things more conspicuous in an adult entertainment store than five young men who can barely suppress their mix of shock and laughter. I decided to ask the man behind the counter a few questions, and found a real human interest story in the process.
At first, George just told me about the best-selling products (Vibrators: "the softest, most powerful and quietest are the most popular"), until I asked about the "family-owned" tag.
Y Not was originally a bar by the same name, but was bought in 1974 by a man dying of cancer, who wanted to ensure the financial stability of his family.
The family is Catholic and initially resisted; they did not want their children to be known as the children of pornographers. So, they discussed their options and explained the situation to the kids, including what they were doing and why.
"We don't keep it a secret," said George. Eventually, with the blessing of the entire family, they opened the shop -- and they've actually been embraced by the entire community.
They are still just as religious as ever and have not lost any friends over their business enterprise. Y Not has provided for that family for over 30 years now and has become a fixture in the neighborhood, like a bakery or the post office.
In the words of one family member, "It keeps me from having to clean toilets." Now it is owned by the founder's stepdaughter, Dolores Wise, and her mother and sisters.
The store itself is pretty standard, with a wide selection of DVDs and magazines and sex toys of all shapes and sizes. There are also novelty games, including "Un-Uh! No He Di'int."
Eventually, Jared and I worked up the courage to walk into the viewing rooms located in the back of the store. The section reeked of antiseptic, which in hindsight is a blessing. Each private booth had a small screen, old plastic chair and a roll of toilet paper.
Okay, family-owned. Not family-friendly.
After leaving, I couldn't help but appreciate the life lesson that I had learned. The owners of Y Not Enterprises are not perverts capitalizing on the impure desires of the community. They are a loving family that has found a way to ensure their security.
Everyone in the car smiled at this heartwarming story, until we started to wonder where we could wash our hands.
Contact Jeff Renfro at (408) 551-1918 or jrenfro@scu.edu.