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Parksville is one sexy city

An annual poll suggests the city is the 22nd sexiest city in Canada, ninth in B.C. and second on the Island to Victoria
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Sexessories owner Sheila Abbott says the sex toy market in Parksville Qualicum Beach is a lot bigger than most people would think. Parksville recently make the list of top 25 Canadian cities based on sales of sex toys

Parksville is one of the sexiest cities in Canada.

According to an annual poll conducted by PinkCherry, Parksville is the 22nd ranking city in the entire country, measured by the sales of sex toys, adult novelties and lingerie. Our quaint, little city is ninth in B.C. and second on Vancouver Island next to Victoria.

The study measures sales per capita for the 2014 year.

The results come as no surprise for Sexessories owner Sheila Abbott, who is expanding her store this summer due to an increasingly high demand for sex toys.

"We're thriving," she said about business, noting the expansion plans will double the store's size.

Sexessories is the only sex shop in Parksville Qualicum Beach, often deemed the oldest community in Canada. But the elderly population might have a direct correlation with our high volume of sex-related paraphernalia sales.

"There's a new kind of retirement here," said Abbott. "And these retirees aren't looking to play bingo or the accordion ... these people are a generation from the 60s — peace, sex and love."

Abbott said her clientele ranges in age from 18 to 90 years old.

In the decade Abbott has owned the store, she said she's noticed a major shift in society's acceptance of sex.

"In the past some physicians attitude (towards getting older and sex) used to be 'well, you've had a good run,'" she explains.

However, these days Abbott gets many referrals from pharmacists and naturopaths who want to help people continue to have sex as they age. And seniors may be in the best position to have sex.

“The kids are out of the house, you have time and you’re still really in love,” said Abbott.

She said the store’s best sellers include lubricants and love rings.

Moreover, many of Sexessories’ products are made in Canada — the store even carries a line of locally made leather whips and collars.

Abbott said they’re made by a “fetish specialist” in north Qualicum Beach, whose product line, Bound2Please, is one of the leading manufacturers in Western Canada.

She said novels like 50 Shades of Grey and shows like Sex and the City have certainly driven up sales and created a dialog around sex.

“I think it’s great,” she said.

Other British Columbian cities that topped the list are Colwood, Victoria and Terrace, respectively.

For more information, or to view the results visit www.pinkcherry.ca/sex-toy-blog/sex-facts/canadas-sexiest-city/.