The first thing you see when you walk into Safari Pearl are the rows and rows of board games and action figures lining the shelves. If you walk toward the back you’ll see rows and rows of costumes, masks, and different Halloween decorations. And if you go further still, you’ll see a closed door leading to shop hidden away in the popular gaming store: Eclectica.

Immediately when you walk in you are greeted with bright lights, scandalous costumes and a wall for 21st birthday and Bachelorette parties. A more innocent sight to prepare you for what comes next.

A wall of sex toys, from anal beads to battery-powered dildos, strap-ons, and some that feel a little too real. There is also a small section devoted to fetish items like crops, handcuffs and feathers, while shelves behind you bear various oils and lubricants, all used for pleasure in the bedroom.

If you’re new to the world of sex, adding toys to the equation can be quite intimidating. Not just the sheer number of toys, devices, lubricants and oils there are to choose from, there are also several questions that come to mind: what do you do with them? Can you even get them, living in a small college town?

First, toys can be used alone for individual pleasure or with a partner to increase the experience for both people involved. As long as you’re 21 or older, Eclectica has a number of toys for those easing into the experience, as well as items for the more seasoned individual.

Nickele Mainarick, the manager of Eclectica, says their main client base tends to be college students, many who’ve never been in an adult shop before.

“We go for the non-threatening, introductory toys, so a lot of the time it’s something simple like the longer bullets,” she said, “We go for simplistic, wanting them to figure out where their interests lie.”

They also bring out the toys to show potential customers how loud and intense they might be. Because they realize a lot of their customers are living with roommates, they like to showcase the smaller, more discreet toys, for women particularly. Popular toys for men include rings and masturbation sleeves.

They also try to keep as stocked as they can on anal pleasure items because they are geared toward both genders.

“(They’re) good for introductory,” Mainarick said. “It’s non-threatening … it’s good for sensation.”

They make a point to make sure their customers feel comfortable in the store; they want you to come away with a product you can feel comfortable using.

There are several adult stores in Spokane, such as the Hollywood Erotic Boutique and Castle Megastore, that sell items similar to ones you would find in Eclectica or online. Purchasing items online is an option as well from stores like Lovers or Adam & Eve if a buyer prefers a more private route.