Viva Viagra, Vibrators and The Vermont Country Store

by Margo on June 15, 2009

The Vermont Country Store always been chock full of wholesome things for the practical person and home. The catalog, first sent in 1945, has long appealed to Americans who yearn for a little of yesteryear. Their best customers, I imagine, have a firm grasp on the difference between need and want. They may yearn for the best of the good old days…

…but at the same time embrace the best of modern day technologies.

They are good stewards of the earth and all that is in it.

And fondly remember their childhoods. They are the first to share their memories with the younger generation.

Come on… what sane adult would choose to share these over a Mrs. Beasley doll?

Like anywhere else these days, Vermont Country Store has had to adapt. They have a new category that is introduced in recent catalogs by one of the proprietors:

“By 2030 the population of Americans over the age of 65 will double! But as we get older, we don’t have to become less able. Here at Vermont Country Store, we take a practical, no nonsense approach to keeping you healthy, physically, emotionally and… well… sexually too!”

Please note the implied hesitancy with his use of the three dot ellipse:
“and …well… sexually too!” Kind of like he was embarrassed to be saying “sexually” in this wholesome place, then tried to trick us there at the very end by speeding up really fast (!)

Check out the new wares at Vermont Country Store/Intimate Solutions (Be sure to scroll down the left side bar and click on “Intimate Solutions” ).

For the time being anyway, the Vermont Country Store label won’t give away any secrets.

So I was more than a little surprised when my friend who told me about this new approach to anticipating and fulfilling the needs of a customer base.

In this Viva Viagra/post Sex in the City age we live in, my shock wore off after about 20 seconds. How about you?

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{ 24 comments }

1 Thom June 15, 2009 at 12:44 pm: Isn't that Buffy? Boy how to yearn for the good old days. My shock value lasted about the same time as yours. But one has to keep up with the times so I suppose Vermont Country Store is doing what they need to be doing
2 Lola June 15, 2009 at 1:05 pm: Go for the Vermont Country Store! I'm part Italian but I was born in Bennington VT. The icon of the Vermont cow, cheddar cheese, pretty foliage and quaint farm complemented by a sexy sidebar makes me smile. Kinda makes up for the sappy (no pun intended) cliché…

Fun post! Ciao,
Lola xx
3 the iNDefatigable mjenks June 15, 2009 at 1:26 pm: So…we could bring this post together with another weekly feature, and mix them up into a "what I'm not buying this week…Vermont Country Store" issue!
4 Pricilla June 15, 2009 at 1:51 pm: I guess they gotta keep making money so sex sells. We all know that.

heh heh
5 ModernMom June 15, 2009 at 2:15 pm: LOL The times they are a changing!
6 Sparky ♥ ∞ June 15, 2009 at 2:28 pm: To quote the Queen, "We are not amused …" (to the Vermont Country Store) [sigh] I feel like a grown-up living in a world full of juvenile delinquents.
7 Lola June 15, 2009 at 3:42 pm: Those Bratz dolls always freaked me out.

Did you check out the We Vibe (not to be confused with the Wii)? Oh my!
8 LiLu June 15, 2009 at 4:40 pm: 3 seconds. But then, I am used to it, after so many Thursdays…
9 Trudy June 15, 2009 at 6:11 pm: I think that's hysterical!
10 Dawn June 15, 2009 at 6:14 pm: I'm so amused by this. In the online shopping cart: 1 Lanz flannel nightgown, 1 tube Tangee lipstick, 3 packets of Chuckles and an unmentionable.
11 The Mother June 15, 2009 at 6:22 pm: Never, ever, ever did I think in my wildest dreams that the only online source for granny panties and petticoats would be selling vibrators.

My PARENTS get that catalog. EEEW!
12 Jeff June 15, 2009 at 6:24 pm: All in the name of social progress.
13 A Lawyer Mom's Musings June 15, 2009 at 6:53 pm: Wait, wait! They were advertising vibrators? I thought it was some kind of organic Depends. I wonder what Zeb Walton would say . . .

LOVED the rotary lawn mowing woman! My husband uses one of those while he rocks out on his ipod.
14 Joanna Jenkins June 15, 2009 at 8:19 pm: YO're right, he did sound embarrassed about saying "sexually" too. i wonder if they whisper when they are wrapping up an order for sex toys

Very funny post. Thanks
15 Marie Reed June 16, 2009 at 6:24 am: Wowsers! So I can buy a vibrator and clove and black jack chewing gum all in one swoop! yikes!
16 Marie Reed June 16, 2009 at 6:25 am: sexually sexually sexually.. just seeing if I would feel embarrassed too:)
17 Banteringblonde June 17, 2009 at 12:15 am: This is so funny … whatever sells right?
18 Betsy June 17, 2009 at 8:12 am: It takes a lot to shock me anymore. I remember when the Viagra commercials seemed scandulous. But they are very tame compared to the new Extends commercials. Have you seen them? They would make grandma not only blush, but faint.

Mrs. Beasley…how I loved her!
19 Eva Gallant June 17, 2009 at 2:28 pm: What a funny post and a great blog! Enjoyed it immensely!
20 Grace June 18, 2009 at 2:52 pm: Okay, I looked. Page took forever to load, guess my computer was embarrassed – the hair dye – ah, now that was something I have never come across -
21 WhisperingWriter June 18, 2009 at 5:56 pm: Yeah, it's hard to be shocked when sex seems to be everywhere these days.

Yikes, those Bratz dolls scare me. I don't think my daughter will ever have one of those.
22 Maggie May June 18, 2009 at 11:26 pm: i like the rhythm of this post- and those BRatz dolls are not OK in my house
23 The Peach Tart June 19, 2009 at 8:08 am: These "intimate" items may become his best sellers.
24 Lin June 19, 2009 at 9:10 pm: Oh, I love those catalogs–they bring back so many memories. Now I'm curious….